EU-wide emotional support helpline

The EU-wide Emotional Support Helpline, 116123, is now available in Malta, with the objective of offering emotional support to callers suffering from loneliness, those who find themselves in a state of psychological crisis and those who require emotional support.

The European Commission states that all EU countries should reserve the numbers beginning with 116 for services of social value across all member states, with 116123 being assigned for emotional support helplines and meeting a common description across all EU member states.

The Emotional Support Helpline in Malta will be operating on a 24-hour basis, seven days a week, all year round. All calls originating from fixed lines will be free of charge.

Calls received on 116123 will be re-routed to the already existing structure of the Supportline 179.

Supportline 179 is a 24-hour free telephone service offered by Aġenzija Appoġġ. It is run by a team of professionally trained volunteers under the supervision of Appoġġ professionals.

Now, through the amalgamation with the emotional helpline, the service will offer confidential emotional support to any individual, particularly those who are socially isolated, vulnerable, at risk, and victims of any form of abuse; It will refer clients to other services; provide information on services and resources available; provide a high quality and reliable service to all users; provide continuous support, training and development for staff members and volunteers.

For more information about Aġenzija Appoġġ and its services, visit www.appogg.gov.mt. Aġenzija Appoġġ forms part of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services which also incorporates Aġenzija Sedqa (www.sedqa.gov.mt) and Aġenzija Sapport (www.sapport.gov.mt).