Support Groups and Helplines in Berlin

English-speaking support groups and meetings for AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and other 12-step programmes, drug aid, cancer support meetings, AIDS support and more...

Below find information on the various support organisations and helplines in the Berlin area. While some have English-speaking staff and volunteers, there is no guarantee that English will be spoken.

Alcoholics Anonymous

There are a number of meetings in the Berlin area, both closed and open.

  • German Alcoholics Anonymous
    Tel    : 01803 224 357
  • Local Berlin Infoline
    Tel: 030 787 5188
  • Alkohol-Hilfe Berlin has information on support groups for alcoholics in Berlin (in German)

Al-Anon provides help for friends and family members of alcoholics. There are three English-speaking meetings in Berlin on Mondays, Wednesdays (both in Schöneberg) and Saturdays (Prenzlauer Berg).

Drug Abuse

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) offers English-speaking advice on dependencies and addiction. Meetings are held regularly in Berlin.

HIV/Aids

Berliner-Aids-Hilfe offers Aids counselling and support in the Berlin region.

Cancer Support

The international medical hotline will provide contact details of the nearest cancer support advisor.

  • Cancer Infoline
    Tel: 0800 420 3040 (in German)
    Tel: 030 3100 3222 or 030 3100 3243

Children's Helplines

  • Kindernotdienst - Helpdesk for children under 14 years old
    At: Gitschiner Straße 48-49, 10969 Berlin-Kreuzberg
    Tel: 030 610 061
  • Jugendnotdienst – Helpdesk offering help and advice to youth aged 14 to 18
    At: Mindener Straße 14, 10589 Berlin
    Tel: 0130 865 252 (Toll-free number)
    Tel: 030 349 9934
    email
  • Mädchennotdienst: Helpdesk for young women aged 14 to 18 offering counselling and support after sexual violence
    At: Herzberger Straße 83, 10365 Berlin
    Tel: 030 5505 1900

Family Planning and Sexual Health

The Federal Centre for Health Education (Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung, BZgA) provides advice on family planning and sexual health.

Women's Support Groups

BIG offers help and support to women and their children who live with mental or physical abuse. It can provide help in a number of languages, including English. It also offers a mobile intervention service.

  • BIG
    Hotline: 030 611 0300
    Open: daily 09:00-midnight
    email
    Information in English:     BIG Hotline (PDF)

Women's refuges

The website of Women's Network BORA has comprehensive information, in English, on the facilities and help available in Berlin for women and children suffering domestic violence.

Berlin has six refuges for women and their children who are victims of abuse and need protection. The refuges are anonymous and free of charge. Help is available in a number of languages.

  • Women's refuge BORA (Frauenprojekte BORA) 
    Tel    : 030 986 4332
    email
  • Autonomous women's refuge 
    Tel    : 030 3749 0622
  • Autonomous women's refuge 
    Tel    : 030 559 3531
  • Autonomous women's refuge 
    Tel: 030 9161 1836
  • Women's refuge of the Caritas 
    Tel: 030 851 1018
  • Intercultural women's refuge 
    Tel: 030 8010 8050

Rape crisis and counselling centre for women

  • LARA: Berlin offers help and counselling to victims of rape in Berlin
    Tel: 030 216 8888
    Open    : 09:00-18:00 Monday to Friday

English-speaking newcomers and women's groups

Here are some of the main international networking and social groups for foreign women residents of Berlin:

  • The American Women's Club (AWC) of Berlin organises cultural, philanthropic and social activities for its members
    Tel: 030 7970 6523
    Fax: 030 7974 1865
  • The Berlin International Women's Club is an international, multi-cultural social club for women in Berlin. It helps women of all nationalities and their families adapt to life in Berlin. Activities and charity events are organised regularly
    email

Mental Health

The psychological and social assistance service (Psycho-Sozialdienst) provides information and advice for those suffering from mental health problems.

  • Tel: 0177 814 1510 (German-speaking only)

Berlin Disabled Groups and Resources

  • Association for the Blind (Allgemeiner Blinden- und Sehbehindertenverein) (in German)
    At: Auerbacher Straße 7, 14193 Berlin
    Tel: 030 895 880
    email
  • Association for Young Disabled People in Berlin (Jugendgruppen der Spastikerhilfe Berlin)
    At    : Lindenstr. 20-25, 10969 Berlin
    Tel    : 030 2250 0395
    Fax    : 030 2250 0395
  • Wheelchair breakdown service: Tel: 0180 111 4747

Gay and Lesbian Support Groups

  • Lesbian Info Hotline
    At    : Kulmerstr. 20a, 10783 Berlin-Schoeneberg
    Tel    : 030 215 2000
  • Gay Counselling Centre
    At    : Mommsenstr. 45, 10629 Berlin-Charlottenburg
    Tel: 030 2336 9070
  • Sonntags-Club: Information and cafe for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals
    At: Greifenhagenerstr. 28, 10437 Berlin-Prenzlauerberg
    Tel    : 030 449 7590
  • Maneo: Victim support service for gay men (Schwules Ueberfalltelefon)
    Tel: 030 216 3336
  • Berlin Police contact for gays and lesbians
    Tel: 030 466 497 9444
  • Anti-lesbian violence project (Broken Rainbow)
    At: Kasselerstr. 1A, 60486 Frankfurt
    Tel: 069 7079 4300

Further Information

  • Befrienders: provides English speaking helplines around the world