For the full picture — why mental health matters specifically for gay and bisexual men, the types of support available, and how to find a good therapist — see Mental Health: The Other Half of the System first.

This guide covers the mental health landscape across Europe: where to find support and how to navigate systems that aren't always built with you in mind. Check the country specific guides to find the particular resources available in that country. Use those for full service listings, insurance mechanics, and cultural context. This file is the cross-border quick reference.

EU-Wide: Crisis Lines

112 — Emergency services. Works in every EU country. If you are in immediate danger of harming yourself or having a psychiatric emergency, call 112.

116 123 — The European crisis line number, staffed in most EU member states. Availability and language support varies by country.

ILGA World maintains a public directory of member organizations at ilga.org. While not a direct crisis hotline directory, finding and contacting a local LGBTQ+ organization in your current country is often the most reliable starting point to find local, culturally competent support services.

Finding an Affirming Therapist

For the full guide — what to ask, what to look out for, and how to vet someone properly — see the general guide.

For online/teletherapy across borders: platforms like BetterHelp operate across Europe and allow filtering for LGBTQ+-affirming therapists. Quality varies — use the screening questions in the guide above before committing to anyone. Some therapists on directories like Pink Therapy (UK) also offer cross-border video sessions.

☎️ Pan-European Emotional Support (116 123)

One of the most practical ways the EU supports its citizens is through the "Harmonised services of social value" (Decision 2007/116/EC). The EU reserved specific 116-prefix phone numbers to provide identical social services across all member states.

Call 116 123 for Emotional Support No matter which EU country you are in, dialing 116 123 connects you to a free, emotional support helpline. If you are experiencing severe anxiety about an HIV scare, severe isolation, or navigating a difficult chemsex comedown in a foreign country, this number will route you to a local listening service (such as the Samaritans or local equivalents).

  • 112 (Emergency): If you are in immediate danger of harming yourself, or if someone you are with is experiencing a severe psychiatric crisis, dial 112. It is the universal emergency number across the EU, and operators can usually assist in English or other common languages in addition to the local language.

Related: