Resources
International Helplines
Swiss Helplines
Crisis Line (in French)
Phone: 143
Website: https://lausanne.143.ch
A 24 hour anonymous mental health helpline covering the whole of Switzerland in French, German and Italian and providing support to all who need it. They manage calls from people with concerns including: depression, suicidal thoughts, domestic violence, anxiety, and addictions.
Alcoholics Anonymous (in English)
Phone: +41 79 466 53 30
Website: http://www.aageneva.org
A 24 hour English-speaking helpline for anyone struggling with alcoholism. Covering the cantons of Geneva, Valais, Vaud, Fribourg, Neuchatel, and some areas in France. Their 'Links" page contains links to other AA homepages including the French and German AA communities in Switzerland as well as the UK and continental Europe.
Helpline for Children, Adolescents, and Teens (in French)
Phone: 147
Website: https://www.147.ch/fr/
A free 24 hour anonymous help and advice line for children, adolescents and teens that need help with any issues related to mental health, family problems, relationship problems, sexuality, problems at school, and more. In French, German and Italian. A call to this number doesn't appear on your phone bill.
Crisis Line (UK based)
Phone: +44 8457 90 90 90
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/
An English-speaking 24 hour anonymous mental health helpline based in the UK providing support for all who need it. When calling this number, you will initially get a message encouraging you to call their free number. Ignore this and stay on the line. After this message, they will connect you to a Samaritans volunteer. The free number doesn't work outside of the UK. This will be charged as a call to the UK.
Expat Living Resources
www.cancersupport.ch - Cancer Support Switzerland is an English speaking not-for-profit association based in Switzerland. Formerly known as ESCA, Cancer Support Switzerland is made up of professional counselors, coaches, and trained volunteers who provide support through a range of services both in-person and online for individuals diagnosed with cancer and their families throughout Switzerland.
https://vogay.ch/departements-vogay/vg-international/ - VoGay is the Vaud association for sexual and gender diversity. Based in Lausanne, VoGay provides a vast number of services for the LBGTQ+ and wider community including educational and social events.
www.echo112.com/en/ - The "Pocket Lifesaver" app allows you to call the emergency services in your area at the touch of a button without having to remember all the different numbers around the world. It will also send your GPS coordinates directly to the emergency service you selected so that they can get help to you quickly no matter where you are in the world. This is especially helpful for Switzerland where there are different numbers for the ambulance, police, fire department, and helicopter support.
www.knowitall.ch - Know-it-all Passport's online presence that includes local news, events and activities calendars, networking tips, and guest blogs about life and events in Geneva, Vaud and neighboring France.
www.thelausanneguide.com - A local guide to life in Lausanne including events around the city, lists of local bars and restaurants, kid friendly places, and things to do on rainy days.
Mental Health Emergency Numbers
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency and needs to be seen or evaluated by a psychiatrist immediately, please call the emergency number for your Canton below:
Vaud: +41(0)848 133 133 (this is a 24 hour emergency line manned by on-call psychiatrists)
Geneva: +41(0)22 372 38 62 (this is the psychiatric emergency line for the Geneva University Hospitals)
Children in Geneva: +41(0)22 382 45 55 / +41(0)22 372 40 00 (these are the emergency lines for the children’s section of the Geneva University Hospitals)
Valais: +41(0)800012210 (this is the 24 hour psychiatric emergency line though the Valais Hospital)
Friboug: +41(0)263057777 (psychiatric emergency line through HFR)
Neuchatel: +41(0)327551515 (psychiatric emergency line through CUP)
Berne: +41(0)31 632 88 11 (psychiatric emergency line though the University Hospital of Berne)