Support Groups & Helplines: Alcoholics Anonymous, Drug, Cancer, HIV

Below you will find information on the various support organisations and helplines in Southern Holland, 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
  Website
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse helplines
  • The Hague Tel: 070 391 7800
  • Rotterdam Tel: 010 272 3300

Drug Abuse

• Drugs Advice Clinic
  At: The Hague Parnassia
  Tel: 070 391 7800
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse helplines
  • The Hague Tel: 070 391 7800
  • Rotterdam Tel: 010 272 3300

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 nine comprehensive cancer centres (CCCs). They are there to provide patient care as well as help relatives and 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, 5^th floor, Catharijnesingel 53, Utrecht
  Tel: 030 234 3780 
  Fax: 030 234 36 32 
  e-mail  
  Website

and

• Comprehensive Cancer Centre Rotterdam 
  At: Nieuw Hoboken building, Rochussenstraat 125, Rotterdam
  Tel: 010 440 5800
  Fax: 010 436 47 84
  e-mail 
  Website

Breast Cancer

In Delft women with breast cancer meet to share experiences every second Wednesday of the month. Meetings are usually held from 09:30–11:30 in building H at the Reinier de Graaf Hospital.

Support for Carers

Anyone involved with caring for a terminally ill person may like to consult the Voluntary Care Workers of Terminal Patients (VTZ). It provides 24-hour care to the dying and assists relatives (principally in and around the Delft area).

• The Delft municipality website has further details: Click here

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
  Tel: 0900 0101 (national line)
  Open: Monday to Friday 09:00–17:00
  Website (in Dutch)

Regional offices can be contacted by e-mail via their website or 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
• The Hague
  At: Mr P. Drooglever Fortuynweg, 2533 SP Den Haag
• Limburg region
  At: Om de Toren, 6191 KZ Beek
• Zeeland
  At: Chasséveld 3a, 4811 DH Breda
• To view a map marking addresses of regional centres nationwide: Click here

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.

• Tel: 116 000
  Website

Family Planning & Sexual Health

There is a telephone support line for victims of sexual abuse:

• Tel: 070 362 0496 (The Hague)
  Tel: 0900 899 8411 (other areas)
  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
  Website

There are also local centres for birth control and sexuality known as Rutgershuizen which can offer advice on medical issues including abortion and the morning after pill.

• The Hague  
  • Preterm RutgersHuis
    At: Haringkade 163, 2584 ED Den Haag
    Tel: 070 363 0963
• Eindhoven  
  • Rutgers Stimezo Zuid-Nederland
    At: J. van Schoonvorststraat 22, 5611 PK Eindhoven
    Tel: 040 244 5976
• Maastricht  
  • CASA Maastricht
    At: Parallelweg 45c, 6221 BD Maastricht
    Tel: 0900 0969
• Utrecht  
  • CASA Utrecht
    At: Catharijnesingel 30, 3511 GB Utrecht
    Tel: 0900 0969

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.

• Rotterdam
  Tel: 010 440 2402 
  Website (in Dutch only)
• Maastricht
  Tel: 043 329 9699
  Website (in Dutch only)
• Limburg
  Tel: 047 538 7474
  Website  (in Dutch only)

The Netherlands Mental Health Care Association has a website partially in English. The Dutch part of the site also has a "Links" section which is not difficult to follow and helps locate on a map various agencies involved in mental health care and from there provides their contact details.

• For further information: Click here

There is also a national Knowledge Institute for Mental Health and Addiction – Trimbos Institute. 

• Contact can be made via the website: Click here

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)

In Delft there is an anonymous helpline where trained counsellors, many of whom speak English, can give advice on issues including domestic violence and sexual abuse.

• Tel: 015 251 7900 (Delft)

These are some of the main groups for women residents of Southern Holland.

• British Women's Club of The Hague
  At: 2^nd Floor, Societeit De Witte, Plein 24, 2511 CS Den Haag
  Tel: 070 346 1973
  Open to British, Commonwealth and Associate members. It has a library, coffee shop and busy programme of social and sporting events. Open to women of all ages
• Pickwick Women's Club of Rotterdam
  Tel: 010 511 7762
  Welcomes all English speaking women in the Rotterdam area. Meets 2^nd Tuesday of each month. Arranges speakers plus tours and outings, and has a library of English books
• American Women's Club of The Hague
  Tel: 070 350 6007
  Website
• MOPS
  Website 
  Clubs throughout Holland for mothers of preschoolers and pregnant women
• International Women's Club of The Hague
  At: Vierloper 10, 2586 KV Den Haag
  Tel: 070 354 0489
  A varied programme of social activities for women of all nationalities
• International Women's Club of South Limburg
  At: IWC South Limburg, 6202 WB Maastricht
  Website 
• International Women's Contact Utrecht
  Meets on the second Tuesday of each month at Oog in Al Cultureel Centrum Utrecht, mums and tots club, and family events. Call at a meeting for more information

Newcomers' Groups

The Hague Hospitality Centre is a good point of contact for all new residents and non-Dutch nationals working and living in The Hague. It has useful information packs and leaflets in English aimed at helping new arrivals to understand municipal departments and administration as well as help with organising healthcare and education.

• The Hague Hospitality Centre Xpat Desk
  At: City Hall (Atrium), Spui 70, The Hague
  Tel: 070 353 5043
  Open: Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00
  e-mail
  Website

Non-Dutch residents may also subscribe to their newsletter Living in The Hague specifically aimed at the English-speaking community. 

Further Information

• AngloINFO INFOrmation page Notes for the Disabled in the Netherlands
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Emergency Numbers
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Gay & Lesbian Organisations in the Netherlands
• Delft municipal site with information on emergency services and many practical aspects of life in Delft
• Municipal site for Limburg
• Municipal site for Maastricht
• Official site for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs English version. Useful general information