Telefonseelsorge Berlin e.V.

We are there to support people in emergency situations.

In the mid-1950s, Berlin was the city with the highest suicide rate in Germany. And so a small group of committed people based on the English model founded an organisation in Berlin on 6 October 1956, which was entered in the register of associations in 1960 as "Telefonseelsorge Berlin (Konfliktberatung - Selbstmordverhütung) e.V.".

This makes Telefonseelsorge Berlin the first and oldest institution of its kind in Germany. In many cities, more telephone counselling services were gradually set up, mostly run by churches and financed by the churches.

The Telefonseelsorge Berlin was founded by committed Christians without being a church institution. It is organised as an independent registered organisation. This means that the work must be financed primarily by private donations.

The aim was and is the human and counselling help on a Christian basis for people in need, especially for suicidal persons. This is done without denominational, religious, political or ideological pressure on callers or staff.

We stand for:

Anonymity

The callers are not asked for their names. Everyone can remain anonymous. The caller's number does not leave a data trail and does not appear on the phone bill. This also applies to calls from mobile phones. The telephone counsellor also remains anonymous.

Reachability

The Telefonseelsorge Berlin is available day and night, on weekends and holidays, 365 days a year.

Competence

The volunteers working in the telephone counselling service are carefully selected, trained, continuously updated and supervised on a regular basis. This is taken care of by a team of full-time employees.

Openness

The Telefonseelsorge Berlin is open for all problems. It is there for all callers, regardless of religious or political views, origin, nationality or gender.

Confidentiality

All employees of the telephone counselling service are subject to the obligation of secrecy.