Parliamentary Approval for Critical Initiative
On Tuesday, November 19, 2025, Members of Parliament in Luxembourg unanimously passed a motion advocating for the creation of a unified national telephone number dedicated to suicide prevention. This significant decision underscores a collective commitment to addressing mental health challenges and reducing suicide rates across the Grand Duchy. The motion received broad support from various political parties, including the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP), the Christian Social People's Party (CSV), and The Left (déi Lénk), among others. Minister of Health and Social Security Martine Deprez also expressed her support for the initiative.
Enhancing Accessibility and Coordination
The primary goal of the proposed unified hotline is to simplify access to critical support for individuals in distress. MP Ricardo Marques of the CSV highlighted that people in crisis often lack the energy to search for help, emphasizing the need for a clear and immediate point of contact. He suggested the number 119 for this purpose. The envisioned hotline would be staffed by a multidisciplinary team, including psychologists, nurses, social workers, and potentially doctors, who would be trained to respond with empathy and guide callers to appropriate services, such as emergency responders, hospitals, or specialized helplines.
Currently, Luxembourg offers several suicide prevention resources, including SOS Détresse (45 45 45), which provides 24/7 confidential emotional support in multiple languages, and a Mental Health Support Line (8002 8080). However, MP Marc Baum of The Left noted that while expertise and funding exist, the country has lacked sufficient coordination among these various actors. The new unified hotline aims to create a binding framework and a central structure to bring these services together.
Broader Mental Health Strategy and Progress
The parliamentary decision aligns with Luxembourg's broader efforts in mental health. The country has a national suicide prevention strategy integrated into its mental health policies, and the National Mental Health Plan (2024-2028) outlines future strategic directions for the mental health system. Official statistics indicate a positive trend in suicide prevention, with the suicide rate in Luxembourg decreasing to 6.3 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023, down from 9.5 in 2017.
In addition to the hotline, Minister Deprez reiterated the importance of implementing a social third-party payment system for psychotherapy as quickly as possible, to be followed by a generalized third-party payment system. This move is expected to further improve access to mental health care services for the population. The unanimous backing for the unified hotline signals a strong political will to continue prioritizing mental well-being and to dismantle the stigma often associated with mental health issues.
7 Comments
KittyKat
Fantastic news! Unified access is exactly what's needed.
BuggaBoom
Improving access with a single number is commendable, especially for those in crisis who lack energy to search. But without widespread public awareness and trust, even the best hotline won't reach everyone who needs it.
Eugene Alta
Unanimous support means this is a truly vital initiative. So proud of our MPs!
paracelsus
How much will this cost? And will it actually be effective, or just another bureaucratic layer?
anubis
It's good to see unanimous political will for mental health support, and coordinating existing services is smart. However, the focus should also be on preventative measures and long-term care, not just crisis intervention.
Loubianka
Simplifying access is crucial. This is a huge step forward for public well-being.
Katchuka
This will undoubtedly save lives. A clear, single number makes all the difference.