Helplines and Support Groups in Geneva
Support groups and meetings for AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), drug aid, cancer support meetings, AIDS support and more...
Below is information on the various support organisations and helplines in the Geneva region. While some have English-speaking staff and volunteers, there is no guarantee that English will be spoken.
Geneva Red Cross
The Geneva Red Cross (Croix-Rouge Genevoise) welcomes and helps foreigners, refugees, and anyone in need in the Geneva area.
- Geneva Red Cross (in French)
At: 9 Route des Acacias, case postale 288, 1211 Genève 4
Tel: +41 (0)22 304 04 04
Fax: +41 (0)22 300 31 83
email
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held in English in the Geneva area. There are also daily meetings held in a number of other languages: French, German and Spanish.
Drug Abuse
Narcotics Anonymous (Narcotiques Anonymes) is a non-profit fellowship of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. Narcotics Anonymous meetings are held regularly throughout French-speaking Switzerland.
- Narcotiques Anonymes Suisse Romande
Tel: 0840 12 12 12 (24/7)
- At: Maison de L'Ancre, 34 rue de Lausanne, Geneve
- For a list of meetings in the Geneva, Vaud and Valais cantons
Infodrog can provide support and advice to drug addicts and their families. It can also provide information on the different therapies available
Infoset is a website with information on therapies for drug and alcohol addictions, rehabilitation centres, helplines and local support groups.
Infoset website (in French and German)
HIV/Aids
Groupe SIDA Genève is an association providing support and advice to those whose lives are affected by HIV/AIDS.
- Groupe SIDA Genève (in French)
At: 9, rue du Grand-Pré ,1202, Geneva
Tel: +41 (0)22 700 15 00
Fax: +41 (0)22 700 15 47
email
Cancer Support
The is a group offering emotional support, practical help and information to cancer patients, their families and carers in the Geneva and Vaud area. Also information and discussion evenings.
- English Speaking Cancer Association
Helpline (in Switzerland) Tel: +41 (0) 22 723 22 31
Tel: +41 (0)22 723 2008
email
Family Planning and Sexual Health
The Geneva University Hospitals have a family planning centre that offers consultations and advice free of charge.
- Geneva University Hospitals (in French)
At: 47 Bd de la Cluse, 1205 Geneva
Tel: +41 (0)22 372 55 00
Mental Health
La Main Tendue is the Swiss equivalent of the Samaritans, providing help and support to those in need. Listeners are available 24/7.
- La Main Tendue (in French)
Tel: 143
Parents' and Children's Support Groups
SOS Enfants is a helpline available 24/7 for children and adolescents in need.
- SOS Enfants
Tel: 147 / +41 (0)22 312 11 12
Geneva’s University Hospital has an outpatient centre for teenagers in difficulty and a suicide prevention unit for 15 to 25 year olds. They have a helpline available 24/7.
- Geneva’s University Hospital (in French)
Tel: +41 (0)22 372 33 11
ASK – All Special Kids: ASK is a Geneva-based network for families with special needs children. It can provide information relating to special needs issues in the region and assistance to newcomers. Monthly support meetings are organised and thematic workshops for parenting a special needs child. The group focusses on helping anglophone families but can also help families of other nationalities.
ASPEDAH (Association Suisse Romande de Parents d'Enfants Avec Déficit d'Attention et/ou Hyperactivité) is an association which provides information and support to parents of children with hyperactivity or attention deficit disorder. It can help to find appropriate therapies and treatments.
- ASPEDAH (in French)
At: 8 Rue du Grand-Pré, 1007 Lausanne
Tel: +41 (0)21 703 24 20
Autism Suisse is a Swiss association for parents of autistic children.
- Autism Suisse (in French, German and Italian)
At: 91 rue de Lausanne, 1700 Fribourg
Tel: +41 (0)26 321 36 10
email
Fondation le Cube de Verre: Support and activity group for parents of autistic children. The association can provide advice on resources that are available for children with autism.
- Fondation le Cube de Verre (in French)
At: 1 Avenue de la Gare, 1197 Prangins
Tel: +41 (0)22 367 26 24
Women's Support Groups
AVVEC: Non-profit association which provides help and support for women and their children suffering from domestic violence.
- AVVEC
At: 46, rue de Montchoisy, 1207 Geneva
Tel: +41 (0)22 797 10 10 (24/7)
F-Information: Association for women providing help with work, legal and family matters.
- F-Information (in French)
At: 67 Rue de la Servette, 1211 Geneva
Tel: +41 (0)22 740 31 00
email
Rape Centre (Association Viol-Secours): Help and counselling to victims of rape in Geneva.
- Rape Centre (in French)
At: 3, place des Charmilles, 1203 Geneva
Tel: +41 (0)22 345 20 20
email
Victim Support
Centre LAVI: Provides support and information to victims of attack, break-ins, burglaries, domestic and sexual violence and traffic accidents. The organisation provides legal advice and practical support.
- Centre LAVI (in French)
At: 72 Boulevard Saint-Georges, 1205 Geneva
Tel: +41 (0)22 320 01 02
email
Eating Disorders Support
Overeaters Anonymous is a Fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating.
- Overeaters Anonymous
For information about meetings