Luxembourg mental health hotline sees surge in calls for support

Luxembourg mental health non-profit SOS Détresse last year received 3,765 calls, of which 3,632 resulted in conversations, and 907 e-mail exchanges, a 6% increase compared to 2023.

3,765 calls reached the NGO, of which 3,632 resulted in conversations, compared to the 3,420 registered the previous year. 390 callers ended up being referred to institutions by the volunteers.

Another 907 exchanges between volunteers and psychologists and people needing support were registered, as well as 61 chat counselling sessions. The latter type of service was launched in March of last year.

“The modern way of life means that more and more people are living alone. The number of single households is increasing and family or neighbourhood networks are often less close than they used to be,” said executive director Nadja Bretz in the activity report for 2024.

“Although people are connected through social media, virtual communication is often no substitute for in-depth personal contact. Older people or socially anxious people in particular feel more isolated as a result,” she said.

More women than men seek help

The majority of people who called were women – making up 2,477 calls – whereas men were less likely to reach out (1,147 calls). People aged 51-60 were the most frequent beneficiaries (1,227 calls), followed by 31-40 year-olds (935 calls).

People under the age of twenty were least likely to call, but more likely to send in emails. Those in their twenties and thirties sent the most emails.

About 190 calls were in English – an increase compared to the previous year. “The expansion of the English-language telephone counselling service to two days a week (Wednesdays and Saturdays) was an important step towards offering English-speaking people seeking help a reliable point of contact,” Bretz said.

Relationships, mental health and loneliness

The majority of exchanges covered interpersonal and family relationships, followed by mental health and psychiatric disorders and loneliness and isolation.

127 calls centred on suicide – 50 more than last year, representing a 40% increase. Bretz called this increase “particularly worrying” and said it was the proof that “the need for support is growing,” but also that volunteers have been trained more to help respond “specifically and sensitively” to this kind of call.

For English speakers, an overwhelming life or professional situation, social relations and romantic relationships were the main motives for picking up the phone.

Sixty volunteers currently cover the shifts.

Need help?

SOS Détresse offers free support via the phone number 45 45 45, as well as e-mail exchanges and chats. Information can be found on www.454545.lu.

For teens and children, Kanner a Jugend Telefon offers a dedicated service accessible on this website or per telephone on 116 111.