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.

  • AA Geneva
    English-speaking contact and helpline for general information
    Tel: +41 79 466 5330
    email

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.

  • 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.

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.

Family Planning and Sexual Health

The Geneva University Hospitals have a family planning centre that offers consultations and advice free of charge.

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.

Parents' and Children's Support Groups

SOS Enfants is a helpline available 24/7 for children and adolescents in need.

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.

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.

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.