Support Groups in the Netherlands
Contact details for English-speaking support groups and meetings for AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), drug aid, cancer support meetings, AIDS and more...
Below you will find information on the various support organisations and helplines in the Netherlands, including:
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous in the Netherlands has an English-language version of its website, which gives information on meetings throughout the country.
For up-to-date information on local meetings, contact:
- Alcoholics Anonymous
Tel: 020 625 6057 (24-hour)
e-mail
Drug Abuse
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a non-profit fellowship of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. There are English-speaking meetings in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht.
- Narcotics Anonymous
Tel: 020 662 6307
HIV/Aids
- AIDS infoline
Tel: 0900 204 2040 (in English)
Open: Monday to Friday, 14:00-22:00
Cancer Support
Cancer Care in the Netherlands is usually handled by one of eight comprehensive cancer centres (CCCs). They are there to provide patient care, as well as to help relatives and to conduct further research.
Each CCC has a catchment area of between five and twenty hospitals. The Association of Comprehensive Cancer Centres (ACCC) co-ordinates these and provides information for patients and carers.
- Association of Comprehensive Cancer Centres (ACCC)
At: Trindeborch building, 5th floor, Catharijnesingel 53, Utrecht
Tel: 030 234 3780
Fax: 030 234 36 32
e-mail
ACCESS Cancerlink
ACCESS Cancerlink is an English-speaking network providing support to those with cancer and their family and friends. Telephone support is available on a weekly basis.
Victim Support
The national Victim Support organisation (Slachtofferhulp Nederland) has a website, as well as 75 regional offices throughout the Netherlands. The organisation provides legal advice and practical support to victims of attack, break-ins, burglaries and muggings, domestic and sexual violence, traffic accidents and stalking.
- Slachtofferhulp Nederland (in Dutch)
Tel: 0900 0101 (national line)
Open: Monday to Friday 09:00–17:00
Regional offices can be contacted by e-mail via their website, by using the local tariff number above, or by visiting a local office.
Addresses for Southern Holland:
- North Brabant
At: Geldropseweg 86a, 5611 SK Eindhoven - Limburg region
At: Om de Toren, 6191 KZ Beek
Family Support
SOS Missing Children is a helpline providing support and information for parents of missing children. The helpline operates in ten countries in Europe and is available 24/7.
Family Planning and Sexual Health
There is a telephone support line for victims of sexual abuse:
- Tel: 0900 899 8411
Open: weekdays 09:00-23:00, weekends 15:00-23:00
Rutgers Nisso Group
The Rutgers Nisso Group is a national group dedicated to promoting sexual and reproductive health. It publishes booklets and trains healthcare professionals who help with family planning and counselling victims of sexual harassment and violence.
- Rutgers Nisso Group
At: Oudenoord 176-178, 3515 EV Utrecht
Tel: 030 231 3431
Information and personal advice on abortion, contraception and sexual health issues is available from:
- CASA (Centra voor Anticonceptie, Seksualiteir en Abortus) - in Dutch and English
Tel: 088 888 444 - SENSE (centrum voor seksuele gesondheid) - in Dutch
- StiSAN (Stichting Samenwerkende Abortusklinieken Nederland) - in Dutch
Tel: 020 521 0112
e-mail
Mental Health
Mental Health issues are dealt with by various agencies. Many municipalities have responsibility for implementing policy in their region.
The Regional Institute for Outpatient Mental Health Care (RIAGG) is the main provider and has local websites and premises.
Women's Support Groups
These numbers will reach the crisis centres (daily, 24 hours a day):
- Battered Wives (mishandelde / bedreigde vrouwen)
Tel: 070 392 5774 (The Hague)
Tel: 010 476 1680 (Rotterdam)
Children’s Support Groups
Kinder Telefoon is an anonymous advice line for children and teenagers to discuss their problems. Trained volunteers run the telephone service.
- Kinder Telefoon (in Dutch)
Tel: 0800 0432
Tel: 0900 0132 (from mobile)
Open: Everyday 14:00-20:00
AMK (Het Advies- en Meldpunt Kindermishandeling) provides a helpline for advice and complaints about child abuse.
- AMK Helpline (in Dutch)
Tel: 0900 123 1230
SOS Missing Children is a helpline providing support and information for parents of missing children. The helpline operates in ten countries in Europe and is available 24/7.
Crisis Support
Sensor provide a support helpline and e-mail for people experiencing depression or loneliness.
- Sensoor
Tel: 0900 0767
e-mail
Eating Disorders
- Overeaters Anonymous (in Dutch with English section)
Tel: 020 627 4820
e-mail
Gamblers Anonymous
- Gamblers Anonymous Netherlands
Tel: 0900 217 7721 / 064 341 1985
Further Information
- Official site for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (English version). Useful general information