Our history
As early as 1896, two decades after the invention of the telephone, Baptist pastor Harry Warren created a telephone help service in New York aimed at revealing suicidal individuals alternative solutions to suicide. However, there weren’t enough phones at that time for the initiative to succeed.
In 1953, Baptist pastor West launched an emergency number in Great Britain after publishing the ad: "Before you commit suicide, ring me up!" The idea came to him during the funeral of a 14-year-old girl who had committed suicide. Unable to continue his project for personal reasons, West handed the initiative over to Anglican pastor Chad Varah, who, on November 1, 1953, published a similar ad in The Times, adding his phone number.
Soon after, the number of calls he received was so high that he could no longer answer them alone. Varah then founded the organization The Samaritans, named after the biblical Good Samaritan, a symbol of solidarity without judgment.
Like other organisations that emerged in Europe, SOS Détresse – Hëllef iwwer Telefon was founded in Luxembourg in 1976.
Here are a few keywords:
- 1975-1977 – First training for future volunteers on the phone
- 1975 – Founding of the A.s.b.l. SOS Détresse – Hëllef iwwer Telefon. Formation of the firstboard of directors and drafting of the statutes
- 1977 – Start of the counselling activity
- 1994 – Convention with the Ministry of Family, first employment of professionals and formation of the board of volunteer members
- 2004 – Recognition as a charitable organisation
- 2008 – “Agrément formation et conseil socio-familial” from the Ministry of Family and Integration
- 2013 – Start of the email counselling SOS OnlineHelp
- 2022 – Start of a second phoneline exclusively in English once a week
- 2024 – Start of the chat counselling
Our partners
In Luxembourg
Our most important partner is the Ministry of Family which assures the professional recognition and the financial security of the association as part of a convention.
In addition, we are supported and encouraged through donations by the Luxembourg municipalities, socially committed individuals, companies, associations and service clubs.
Psychosocial associations in Luxembourg are also important partners whose addresses we can pass on to people who need assistance other than conversation.
A completely different level of cooperation is provided by the representatives of the Luxembourgish media, who support us both in the provision of information as well as in recruiting new members.
International cooperation
SOS Détresse is member of the european confederation „International Federation of Telefon Emergency Services” (IFOTES).
International principles of telephone counselling are recorded in the current version of the IFOTES Charter of Ethics.
Our team
Our team is made up of volunteers, supported by a professional team that ensures appropriate guidance and assistance.
Our team culture
Our team culture is marked by a high level of commitment and a positive atmosphere.
A trustful, open approach and mutual assistance are self-evident.
This ensures an environment which fosters enriching exchanges between dedicated members.
This team culture offers the necessary basis to encounter and converse with people in need.
Annual report
Here you can find our activity reports, providing an overview of the various areas of action of our organisation.
Activity Report 2024
Activity Report 2023
Activity Report 2022
Activity Report 2021
The annual report can also be requested free of charge at the following address: info@sosdetresse.lu.
Would you like to support us?
You find our commitment positive and would like to be part of it?
You can well imagine joining our team and helping people in difficult life situations?
Find more information about volunteering within our organization here.
Would you like to support us with a donation?
We appreciate any transfer to our donation account:
BCEE LU20 0019 5000 1190 4000
Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and the donations to our organisation, we are able to develop new projects.
You can also find SOS Détresse in the donations guide “Guide des Dons & Legs”.
Would you like to help people reach out to us?
We invite you to order free information materials to display in your institution or to distribute.
You can order our flyers and posters via info@sosdetresse.lu.
Please provide your address and the quantity of materials you would like. We will send the information materials to you free of charge.
If you have questions
Please get in touch with us:
SOS Détresse
B.P. 620
L-2016 Luxembourg
Email : info@sosdetresse.lu