On Tuesday 5 May 2026, SOS Détresse, a Luxembourg-based helpline providing support by telephone and online, presented its activity report for 2025.
According to SOS Détresse Executive Director Nadja Bretz, the past year highlighted the continued importance and growing demand for the service. A total of 4,245 conversations were recorded, representing an increase of more than 600 compared to the previous year. “Once again, loneliness and isolation were central issues for those seeking help: nearly 200 additional calls showed that many people reached out to be heard and to experience connection. The 199 calls related to suicidal crises in 2025 are particularly alarming: a 56% increase compared to 2024. On one hand, we interpret this increase as a clear sign of the growing psychological burdens and the indispensable role of a low-threshold, human conversation partner in acute emergencies,” she stated.
As reported by SOS Détresse, a total of 4,392 calls were recorded in 2025, of which 4,245 resulted in conversations, including 265 in English. The remaining calls included eight “offer to talk” calls and 139 error calls without message.
The most frequently discussed topics during phone conversations covered a range of personal and social issues. The most common themes included interpersonal and family relationships, psychological problems, dealing with strong feelings and loneliness and isolation. Other topics included health-related concerns, relationship issues, work or education and financial difficulties, as well as cases involving suicide risk.
In terms of age distribution, the majority of callers were aged between 51 and 60, followed by those aged 31-40 and 41-50. Smaller numbers were recorded among callers aged 21-30, over 70 and 61-70, with fewer younger users.
In 2025, email counselling was handled by six volunteers and three psychologists, with 686 messages exchanged. A total of 132 individuals contacted the service via email, with most users aged between 21 and 40.
Among the main concerns raised via email were dealing with strong feelings, interpersonal relationships, relationship issues and overwhelming life situations.
Chat counselling, which complements telephone and email support, recorded 142 sessions in 2025. The service is available without appointment on Mondays and Thursdays from 17:00 to 21:00.
SOS Détresse also highlighted the role of its volunteers, with 83 active volunteers supporting the service in 2025. Of these, 67 were regularly on duty, including seventeen in the English-speaking group. Additional volunteers joined during the year, while others completed their service or took leave.
SOS Détresse is available in Luxembourgish, German and French every day from 11:00 to 23:00 (until 03:00 on weekends). The English line operates on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 23:00. Further information is available at www.454545.lu.
