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.
- Schweizerisches Rotes Kreuz Zürich
At: Drahtzugstrasse 18, 8008 Zürich
Tel: 044 388 25 25
email
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.
AA Zürich Intergroup
Tel: 044 241 30 43For a list of English-speaking meetings in Switzerland
Alcoholics Anonymous (Anonyme Alkoholiker) in German-speaking Switzerland
Drug Abuse
Infodrog can provide support and advice to drug addicts and their families. It can also provide information on the different therapies available.
Infodrog
Tel: 031 376 04 01
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
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.
Zürcher Aids-Hilfe
At: Kanzleistrasse 80, 8004 Zürich
Tel: 044 455 59 00
Fax: 044 455 59 19
email
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.
Family Planning and Sexual Health
The Zürich University Hospital has a family-planning centre that offers consultations and advice.
- Zürich University Hospital Family Planning Centre
At: Raemistrasse 100, 8091 Zürich
Tel: +41 44 255 11 11 For a list of family Planning Centres in the German-speaking part of Switzerland
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.
Die Dargebotene Hand (in French, German and Italian)
Tel: 143
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.