Support Groups in Zürich

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

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

Zürich Red Cross

The Zürich Red Cross (Schweizerisches Rotes Kreuz Zürich) welcomes and helps foreigners, refugees, and anyone in need in the Zürich area.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held in English in the Zürich area. There are also daily meetings held in a number of other languages: French, German and Spanish.

Drug Abuse

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

Zürcher Aids-Hilfe is an association providing support and information to those whose lives are affected by HIV/AIDS. Anonymous phone consultations are available by telephone in English, German and French. email consultations are available in German, French, English, Albanian, Serbian/Croatian/Bosnian, Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish and Arabic.

Women's Support Groups

The association Beratungs-und Informationstelle für Frauen gegen Gewalt in Ehe und partnerschaft - BIF, provides help and support for women and their children suffering from physical or mental violence within the home.

  • BIF
    Tel: 044 278 99 99

FIZ: Association fighting trafficking in women and violence against women from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe. FIZ can advise on residence rights, separation and divorce.

  • FIZ
    At    : Badenerstrasse 682, 8048  Zürich

  • Tel: 044 436 90 00
    email

Family Planning and Sexual Health

The Zürich University Hospital has a family-planning centre that offers consultations and advice.

Mental Health

Die Dargebotene Hand 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

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 in Berne, Geneva and Vaud and thematic workshops for parenting a special-needs child are hosted. The group focusses on helping anglophone families but can also help families of other nationalities.

Elpos Zürich: Support group for parents of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

  • Elpos Zürich (in German)
    At: Affolternstrasse 125, 8050 Zürich
    Tel: 044 311 85 20
    email

Associations for parents and children with ADHD (Psycho-Organisches Syndrom - POS and Aufmerksamkeits-Defizit- [Hyperaktivitäts]-Störung -AD[H]S) can be found throughout Switzerland. They can provide information and support to parents of children with hyperactivity or attention deficit disorder and can help to find appropriate therapies and treatments.

Newcomers Groups

The American International Club of Zurich helps expatriates integrate into the community in Zürich and organises regular social events.

The British Residents Association provides advice, information and support to its members in Switzerland.