If you need help right now
These are the numbers. We are not one of them.
If you or someone near you is in immediate danger, stop reading and call 144 or 112. If you can't speak, a text-capable line is listed below.
We don't replace any of these services. We help people reach them. If you're not safe, or you can't get through tonight on your own, call one of these first.
If it's urgent
- 144 Medical emergency Also activates the on-call psychiatric service. 24 hours.
- 0848 062 062 OSC contact centre Socio-psychiatric organisation. Every day, 24 hours.
- 091 611 48 28 On-call psychiatrist 18:00–08:00 on weekdays, 24 hours on public holidays.
- 112 / 117 Emergency / police If someone is in immediate danger.
If you need to talk
- 143 Telefono Amico Anonymous. 24 hours, every day of the year.
- 147 Pro Juventute For children and young people. Free and confidential, 24 hours.
Anywhere else in the world
- Find A Helpline findahelpline.com Free, verified helplines in more than 175 countries.
These numbers were verified on 3 September 2026 against the official pages of the cantonal Department of Health and Social Affairs. 144, 0848 062 062, 091 611 48 28, 112 and 117 are public services. 143 and 147 are run by an association and a foundation respectively, and are listed among the official contacts. Find A Helpline is a public service by ThroughLine. We re-check every number every six months.
Before you call
What actually happens on the line.
Most people don't call because they don't know what they're walking into. So here it is.
- Someone picks up and listensYou don't need an opening line, a diagnosis, or a good reason. "I don't know why I'm calling" is a normal way to start, and they have heard it many times today.
- They may ask direct questionsIncluding whether you're thinking about harming yourself. It's asked of everyone, calmly, and it isn't a trap or a judgement. Answering honestly does not trigger anything automatic.
- You stay in controlYou can stay anonymous, you can say you'd rather not answer something, and you can hang up at any point. Nothing is set in motion without you.
Common worries
The reasons people give for not calling.
“It's not bad enough”
These lines are not only for the worst night of someone's life. They exist for the ordinary, grinding version too. Waiting until it is bad enough is how it gets bad enough.
“They'll send someone”
Listening lines are not dispatch services. They talk with you. Emergency services get involved when there is immediate danger to life, and you would be part of that conversation.
“I'll be taking the slot from someone worse”
The lines are staffed for volume, and the people answering would rather speak to you now than to you in six months.
“I don't know what to say”
You don't need to. You can say you saw a number and didn't know what else to do. That is a complete sentence and it works.
If you are supporting someone else: you can call these numbers too, and ask what to do. You don't have to be the person in crisis.