More calls for suicide hotline 1813

Belgium’s suicide prevention hotline 1813 received a quarter more calls in 2014 compared with two years ago, reports VRT news. Recent advertising campaigns about the hotline could offer a partial explanation for the increase.

The suicide prevention hotline 1813 last year answered 14,295 calls, an increase of 25% compared to 2012. An average conversation takes about 30 minutes. The suicide prevention website zelfmoord1813.be has also seen an increase in visitor numbers in recent months, according to the VRT report based on figures requested by Katrien Schryvers (CD&V).

According to Schryvers, the current campaigns are definitely paying off. "That’s a good thing, because the suicide figures in Belgium are much higher than in other European countries," she says.

The website and emergency number were both launched by Flemish welfare minister Jo Vandeurzen for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, as well as their family members, relatives and others affected.

Anyone with questions about suicide can dial 1813 and visit www.zelfmoord1813.be (in Dutch), 0800.32.1230800.32.123 and www.preventionsuicide.be (in French), or 02.648.40.14 and www.chs-belgium.org (in English).