Support Groups in the Algarve
English-speaking support groups and meetings in the Algarve for AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), support for those who are HIV positive, cancer support meetings and more...
Below you will find information on the various support organisations and helplines in the Algarve. While some have English-speaking staff and volunteers, there is no guarantee that English will be spoken.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous (AlcoĂłlicos AnĂłnimos) in Portugal has a website with a list of all the meetings throughout the country. Some of the meetings are in English.
For information on local meetings contact:
- Alcoholics Anonymous
Tel: 217 167 840 (assistance in English and Portuguese)
email
Drug Abuse
- Drug helpline (Linha Vida SOS-Drogas) Tel: 1414
The Portuguese Association for Drug Addicts Anonymous (Associação Portuguesa de Narcóticos Anónimos) provides addicts with both support groups and recovery programmes in the Algarve region.
- Portuguese Association for Drug Addicts Anonymous (in Portugeuse)
At: Apartado 526 EC, 2796-801 Carnaxide
Tel: 219 477 970
email
The Serviço de Prevenção e Tratamento da Toxicodependência (SPTT) provides free and confidential consultations and runs recovery centres throughout the country.
HIV/AIDS
- Portuguese League against AIDS
- SOS AIDS (SOS-SIDA) Tel: 800 201 040 (daily 17:30-21:30)
There is an HIV advice and test centre located in Faro known as the CAD ( Center for Counseling and Early Detection of HIV / AIDS Infection)
- Faro Centro de Aconselhamento e Detecção VIH
At: Rua Brites de Almeida 6-3Âş Esq
Open: Monday-Friday 09:30-16:00
Tel: 289 812 528
Stop Smoking Support
- Stop Smoking helpline (SOS-Deixar de Fumar) Tel: 808 208 888 (Monday to Friday 13:00-21:00)
Cancer Support
The Algarve Oncology Association offers cancer care and support to sufferers in the Algarve region. It provides patient care, support groups, and advice to the patient and their family.
- Associação Oncologica do Algarve (Barlavento Delegation)
At: Urbanização do Pimentão, Bloco 2/A Cave, 8500, Três Bicos, Portimão
Appointments only
Tel: 282 412 234 - Associação Oncologica do Algarve (Faro)
At: Largo das Mouras Velhas 16, 8000-139 Faro
Tel: 289 807 531
email - Open: Monday-Friday 10:00-12:30 and 14:30-18:30
The Portuguese Anti-Cancer League (Liga Portuguesa contra o Cancro) provides assistance, advice, and support for cancer sufferers and their families and can provide family and group therapies. It has palliative care programmes and units and runs support groups in the Algarve region.
- Portuguese Anti-Cancer League (in Portuguese)
At: Avenida Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro NÂş 57-3ÂşF, 1070-061 Lisbon
Tel: 800 255 255
email
Mental Health
SOS Voz Amiga is a helpline for the depressed, lonely, suicidal, and anxious and is organised by the Portuguese Suicide Society (Sociedade Portuguesa de Suicidologia).
- SOS Voz Amiga - Tel: 800 202 669 / 213 544 545
The Association for Depression and Bipolar Disease (Associação de Apoio aos Doentes Depressivos e Bipolares, ADEP) provides support to people with mental illness across Portugal. There are self-help groups held in the Algarve area at the department of psychiatry in Espirito Santo Hospital.
Family Support
The Portuguese Association for Families Anonymous (Associação Portuguesa de FamĂlias AnĂłnimas, APFA) deals with all problems affecting families from drug and sexual abuse to sexuality problems.
- Portuguese Association for Families Anonymous
Tel: 962 688 811
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.
- SOS Missing Children
Tel: 116 000
Children's Support
The Portuguese Provedor de Justiça provides help and advice for children in need and can assist with legal matters and with contacting the relevant social services. Contact can be made via free telephone.
- Recados da Criança
Tel: 800 206 656
Open: Monday to Friday 09:30-17:30
The Institute of Help for Children (Instituto de Apoio à Criança) focuses on protecting and defending children and promoting children's rights.
- SOS Criança (in Portuguese)
Tel: 116 111
Support for the Elderly
The Portuguese Provedor de Justiça has a helpline (Linha do Cidadão Idoso) for the elderly which deals with questions concerning health, housing, ill-treatment, and social services.
- Linha do CidadĂŁo Idoso
Tel: 800 203 531
Open: Monday to Friday 09:30-17:30
Women's Support Groups
The SOS Mulher helpline provides information, support, and guidance for women at risk.
- SOS Mulher
Tel: 296 629 757
SOS VIDA is an organisation that provides support to pregnant women. It is based in Faro with two temporary women's homes in PortimĂŁo and Alcantarilha.
- Contact: Pe. JerĂłnimo Gomes
At: Rua da SaĂşde 4, 8000 Faro
Tel: 289 812 812 (open 24 hours) 96-242 37 14, 93-808 2597, 91-693 55 35
Victim Support
- Victim Line Tel: 707 200 077
Open: Monday to Friday 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00
Established in 1990, the Portuguese Association for Victim Support (Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à Vitima, APAV) provides assistance and protection to victims of abuse, violence, and crime.
- Portuguese Association for Victim Support (in Portuguese)
At: Rua José Estêvão 135, A-Piso 1, 1150-201 Lisbon
Tel: 116 006 / 213 857 900
Fax: 218 876 351
Open: 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-18:00
email
There are several Victim Support Offices (Gabinetes de Apoio Ă VĂtima, GAV) in the Algarve region.
- GAV Albufeira (Posto de GNR de Albufeira)
At: Av. 25 Abril 22, 8200-014 Albufeira
Tel: 289 585 770
email - GAV Faro (Governo Civil de Faro)
At: Rua José de Matos, 14-A, 1st Floor, 8000 - 504 Faro
Tel: 289 820 788
email - GAV Loulé (Posto de GNR de Loulé)
At: Travessa Charles Bonnett, 8100 Loulé
Tel: 289 422 832
email - GAV PortimĂŁo (Esquadra de PortimĂŁo de PSP)
At: Avenida Miguel Bombarda, 8500-299 PortimĂŁo
Tel: 282 484 407
email - GAV Tavira (Esquadra de Tavira da PSP)
At: Rua de Santa Margarida, 2, 8800 - 500 Tavira
Tel: 281 381 134
email