SOS Détresse Responds to Over 3,700 Calls, Nearly 140 Emails in 2024

On Monday 5 May 2025, SOS Détresse, a Luxembourg-based helpline providing support by telephone and online, presented its activity report for 2024.

According to SOS Détresse Executive Director, Nadja Bretz, more than 3,760 calls were received – “every single call a sign of trust and an expression of human solidarity in times of need.” She noted that the issues raised reflect the challenges many people are currently facing: interpersonal conflicts, social insecurities, psychological stress, as well as loneliness and isolation.

As reported by SOS Détresse, the helpline recorded a total of 3,765 calls in 2024. Of these, 3,632 resulted in conversations, including 190 held in English. The remaining 133 calls comprised eight “offer to talk” calls and 125 error calls without message. Only the 3,632 conversations were included in the statistical analysis, as the other calls did not provide sufficient data for processing.

The most frequently discussed topics during the 3,632 phone conversations in 2024 — including those via the English helpline — covered a wide range of personal, social and psychological issues. The most common themes included interpersonal relationships (2,221 mentions), psychological concerns (2,663) and matters related to health and the body (330). Topics such as work, training or school (304), financial difficulties (125), dependence or addiction (212), legal questions (109) and violence (106) were also noted. Additionally, 127 conversations concerned suicide risk and 232 related to overwhelming life or professional situations. Many calls addressed more than one category, as reported by SOS Détresse.

In 2024, incoming emails to SOS Détresse were handled by a team of eight volunteers and four psychologists. A total of 907 messages were exchanged, with 139 individuals reaching out for support via email. Messages were received in Luxembourgish, French, German, English and Portuguese. While some sought short-term assistance, others engaged in longer-term correspondence, particularly those facing challenging life circumstances. Of the 139 individuals who contacted the service, 122 registered in 2024, while seventeen had previously signed up.

Based on available data, the majority of email users were between 21 and 40 years old, with 32 in the 31–40 age group and 30 aged 21–30. 22 were between fifteen and 20 years old, while younger users (under fifteen) accounted for seven contacts. Fewer individuals were aged 41–50 (thirteen), 51–60 (four) or over 60 (five). In 26 cases, age was not specified.

Among the main concerns raised via email were relationship and marriage issues, dealing with oneself, interpersonal and family relationships, strong emotional responses and suicide risk.

SOS Détresse launched chat counselling on Tuesday 4 March 2024 to complement its telephone and email support. This anonymous, text-based service is available in four languages and recorded 61 sessions in its first year. It runs on Mondays and Thursdays from 17:00 to 21:00, with no appointment required, according to SOS Détresse.

Among the 61 users of the service, 35 identified as female, seventeen as male and ten did not specify their gender. Age data showed that the largest group of users (thirteen) was between 21 and 30 years old, followed by seven aged 15–20 and five under fifteen. Smaller numbers were recorded among those aged 31–40 (four) and 41–50 (two), while 33 did not specify their age.

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 is available every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 23:00. Further information, including on the SOS Détresse OnlineHelp (email and chat), can be found at http://www.454545.lu/.