Support Groups in Brussels
Details on English-speaking support groups and meetings for AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) following the 12 Steps programme, drug aid, cancer and AIDS support meetings, and social groups for expats and newcomers...
There are various support organisations and helplines in Brussels. While some have English-speaking staff and volunteers, there is no guarantee that English will be spoken. Below is information on:
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Drug abuse
- HIV/AIDS
- Cancer support
- Victim support
- Family planning and sexual health
- Mental health
- AD/HD
- Women's support groups
- Family and children support
- Newcomer's groups
The Social and Psychological Health website for Belgium has information on a whole range of support groups and associations. It includes mental health centres and groups, rape and victim support centres, associations for parents of disturbed and violent children, family planning clinics and a host of other organisations.
A range of services are also offered in English by the Community Help Service – CHS.
- This includes a 24 hour crisis helpline in English -Tel: 02 648 40 14
- At: Bd de la Cambre 33, 1000 Brussels
Tel: 02 647 67 80
email
The Brussels official website also has an emergency and support groups section.
- For a list of groups: Click here (in French) or here (in Dutch)
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous in Belgium has a website with lists of all the meetings throughout the country. It offers support via telephone plus meetings. Some of the meetings are in English.
- Tel: 02 513 23 36
Find details of meetings for English speakers
Al-anon holds regular meetings in Brussels for anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else's drinking.
- Tel: 02 216 09 08
Find details of meetings for English speakers
Drug Abuse
- 24 hour helpline Tel: 02 227 52 52
Infor Drogues has information on drugs, abuse and addiction.
- Infor Drogues
At: Rue du Marteau 19, 1000 Brussels
De Duglijn has information and advice for addicts (in Dutch).
HIV/AIDS
Aide Info SIDA is an organisation offering support and information on AIDS.
Cancer Support
- Helpline Tel: 0800 18 888
At the same time as Belgium legalised euthanasia, it concentrated additional resources on improving palliative care. The Foundation Against Cancer in Belgium is the national cancer association and can provide help and information to patients and their families.
The Foundation has an English speaker who can help patients and families: Click here
WE CARE is an English-speaking support group for women with cancer.
Tel: 02 757 06 21
email
The Association Continuing Care (Association Pluraliste des Soins Palliatifs de Bruxelles Capitale) can provide help at home to cancer patients.
- Association Continuing Care (in French)
At: Chaussée de Louvain 479, 1030 Brussels
Tel: 02 743 45 90
Fax: 02 743 45 91
email
Victim Support
Rape Victims should call SOS Viol, or go in person to the office.
- Tel: 02 534 36 36
At: Rue de Bordeaux 62A, 1060 Brussels
Open: Monday to Friday 09:30-17:30
The main Victim Support agency is Aide aux Victimes
- At: Rue Haute 296B/314, 1000 Brussels
Tel: 02 537 66 10 (09:00-17:00 daily)
Family Planning and Sexual Health
There are plenty of centres in and around Brussels offering support and practical help. They are open to everyone.
A leaflet with all the addresses is available from COCOF:
- At: Rue des Palais 42 1030 Brussels
Tel: 02 800 80 00
Alternatively the Fédération Laïque de Centres de Planning Familial (FLCPF) has 21 centres in the Brussels region.
- Find a list of family planning centres in Brussels
Mental Health
For help in English on a range of issues, call the Community Help Service helpline. It is anonymous, confidential and available 24 hours a day.
- Tel: 02 647 67 80
For a complete list of mental health clinics and facilities in the area consult the Guide Sociale website. There are links to individual websites from the site. Addresses are given for all centres (in French).
- Suicide Prevention Centre has a 24 hour telephone helpline
At: Place du Châtelain 46, 1050 Brussels
Tel: 02 640 51 56
Tel: 0800 32 123 (24 hour emergency helpline)
Similies (website in French and Dutch) is a volunteer organisation supporting families and friends of those with mental health problems.
AD/HD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
English Speaking AD/HD support for adults and families in Brussels provides information on the availability of diagnosis and treatment with a schedule of regular support meetings.
- AD/HD Support website
Adults: email
Family groups: email
Women's Support Groups
There are a number of English-speaking women's groups in the Brussels area. They offer social events, support for newcomers and many have an English language library and mother and children activities.
- American Women's Club of Brussels
At: Avenue des Erables 1, 1640 Rhode St Genèse
Tel: 02 358 47 53
email
- British & Commonwealth Women's Club of Brussels - BCWCB
At: Rue au Bois 509, 1150 Brussels
Tel: 02 772 53 13
email
- Women's International Club of Brussels
At: Rue des Palmiers 11, 1150 Brussels
email
Family and Children Support
- Tel: 110 (Childfocus) or Tel: 103 (Children's helpline). Both numbers are free of charge.
Anyone with concerns about a child's welfare (or the child themselves) can contact SOS Enfants.
- At: CHU Saint-Pierre Bâtiment 200 - 8ème étage
Rue Haute 322, 1000 Brussels
Tel Emergency: 02 542 14 10
Tel Administration: 02 535 34 25
email
SOS Missing Children is a helpline providing support and information for parents of missing children. The helpline operates in ten countries in Europe and is available 24/7.
Newcomer's Groups
There are a large number of these, due to the many nationalities that live and work in Belgium. Many of the embassy websites also provide links to clubs and associations. Try the following:
- Australian Society
- British Community Association of Brussels
- The official website for Brussels site has a section for foreigners with links to official organisations: Click here