Free helpline and live chat
Choices Live Chat, Free Helpline and App
We know that life in the AZC is not easy for LGBTQI+ asylum seekers. It is especially difficult to find someone you can trust and talk to. Choices offers a free anonymous helpline 0800 033 and live chat service for LGBTQI+ asylum seekers and status holders.
Call 0800 0333 Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. or chat with us!
Live chat is available Tuesday afternoons, Wednesday mornings, Thursday afternoons, Friday mornings, and Thursday evenings live chat is there specifically for transgender asylum seekers.
Click (during opening hours) on the live chat button below
Through the helpline and live chat, you'll connect with trained LGBTQI+ volunteers and psychologists who can provide immediate support and put you in touch with the help you need.
All volunteers speak multiple languages: we understand your needs in your own language! Every day there is someone who can speak to you in English or another language such as Arabic, Dutch, Farsi, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Spanish, Turkish, Ukrainian or Russian.
Call the free helpline
0800 0333
Contact our trained volunteers by calling us toll-free on 0800 0333 Monday through Saturday from 3 to 9 p.m. Below is who is available on what day, what time and what languages they speak. Everyone speaks English. If you want to speak to someone who speaks your language, check the list below to find the right person.
If you want, you can also download the Choices app for treatment, testing and wellness. You can do this by scanning the QR code above or by clicking on the link. The Choices app allows you to connect to a network of "queer-friendly" services in the Netherlands. The Choices app is an online healthcare network and is available in English, Dutch and Arabic.
Our volunteers
The volunteers at Choices Support Center are all trained and among them are also several psychologists ready to answer a variety of calls for you. Our comprehensive training includes multiple modules such as counseling skills, active listening, conflict resolution, role play and the asylum process. Additional training includes: suicide prevention, incidents of sexual violence; HIV/SOA testing; PrEP information and problematic drug use. Choices volunteers receive clinical supervision and administrative support.
Upon written request, we are happy to share our training program and procedures. Choices' toll-free helpline operates according to the helpline quality standards developed by Child Helpline International, Red Cross Crisis Call Centers and Red Cross Psychological First Aid Field Worker guidelines.
Helpline weekly schedule
Monday Helpline:
Monday 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Gaukhar (EN/RU)
Hello, my name is Gaukhar, I am from Kazakhstan. I received my bachelor's degree in Psychological Sciences from the University of Padua and am now pursuing a master's program in Cognitive Neuroscience in Rome, Italy. I have always wanted to contribute to making psychological help more accessible to people. That's why I'm here at Choices, because the helpline offers an easy way to talk to a psychologist. I am also a certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) psychologist and have experience in Counseling Psychology. I speak both English and Russian. I am here to provide a non-judgmental, supportive space to talk. Whether you are dealing with stress, feeling alone in the AZC, struggling with inner conflicts, having substance abuse issues or just need someone to listen to you, please do not hesitate to call me. (EN/RU).
Monday 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Cees (NL/EN/DU)
My name is Cees, I am 60 years old and I live in Eindhoven. Ever since I was young, I have enjoyed lending an ear to people who are going through difficult times. Without judging, I help them by thinking along with them and giving them tools to deal with challenges. Over the past ten years, I have talked to many people who were struggling with their sexual orientation or with the consequences of an HIV infection. Topics such as mental health, dealing with stigma, and rights and obligations often come up. My motivation to volunteer at Choices stems from my own experience with chemsex. In November 2023, I decided to stop because I didn't want these substances to continue to influence my life. That process wasn't always easy, but I persevered. Now I want to support men who feel that chemsex is causing them to lose control. I offer a space to share what this does to you. And if there is a need, I am happy to talk about my own path to recovery, in the hope of inspiring others to take healthy steps as well.
Tuesday Helpline:
Tuesday 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Askar (HR / NL / EN)
Hello, my name is Askar, I am 32 years old and originally from Croatia. I emigrated when I was sixteen and have been living in Utrecht for twelve years now. I am currently pursuing a master's degree in clinical psychology at Utrecht University. I have participated in various grassroots initiatives in the field of mental health care in and around Utrecht and volunteer as a conversation partner for transgender people at Transvisie. I am a queer non-binary transgender person and have personal experience with struggles related to gender and sexuality and with the transgender healthcare system in the Netherlands. I am committed to helping people identify their strengths and support systems and build their self-esteem in the world. I am here to offer support and a listening ear! I speak English, Dutch, and Croatian.
Tuesday 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Jason (EN)
For more than 30 years, I have been successfully developing prevention programs for drug users, sex workers, and people with HIV, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender. As someone who has personal experience with drug use and HIV stigma, I understand the need for high-quality, accessible, non-judgmental prevention, testing, and treatment services for all communities. You can call me on Tuesday evenings between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Community Cares 'after-hours'
Monday and Tuesday 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Chemsex coaching every Monday evening. The Choices after-hours helpline project offers free anonymous counselling using proven behavioural interventions to minimise drug use and risky sexual behaviours associated with drug use. In addition we provide assessments for referral to appropriate treatment facilities and access to our weekly national online support group.
Click below for information about our Community Cares 'after-hours' Project.
Wednesday Helpline:
Wednesday 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Alina (EN/RU)
My name is Alina and I was born in Kazakhstan. I graduated in psychology from the University of Amsterdam, with a specialization in clinical and social psychology. I also volunteered to provide psychological support to victims of the war in Ukraine. I am immensely aware of the unique struggle of the Russian-speaking LGBTQIA+ community at the intersection of political, religious and social persecution. As a Choices helpline volunteer, I strive to provide the best support I can. Feel free to call me if you need help or just someone to listen to you. (EN/RU).
Wednesday 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Selin (TR/EN)
My name is Selin and I am from Cyprus. I have a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Amsterdam and a master's degree in child and youth psychology from Leiden University. I currently work as a therapist with children with autism, supporting them in their development. Through my experience in volunteer work and support services, I know how important it is to be able to talk freely and without judgment when you feel overwhelmed. My involvement with LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and my understanding of the challenges they face, including adapting to a new country and dealing with daily stress, motivate me to volunteer at Choices. I am committed to providing you with the best possible support.
Thursday Helpline:
Thursday 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Szofi (EN/SP/HU)
Hello, my name is Szofi and I am originally from Hungary, but I have been living in the Netherlands for about 8 years now. I have a BSc in psychology and I am currently completing my MSc in health and medical psychology at Leiden University. I am fluent in Hungarian and English and can speak Spanish quite well. I am also currently learning Dutch and Papiamento. Being LGBTQIA+ myself and coming from Hungary, it has always been my goal to help and support others within our community as much as possible. This is why I was extra motivated to join Choices. I have a specific interest in anxiety disorders and have received training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), but most of all, I am here to listen and help anyone struggling. I look forward to engaging with you!
Thursday 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Ipek (TR/EN)
My name is İpek and I am from Turkey. I have a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in clinical psychology from Erasmus University in Rotterdam. Currently, I work as a therapist and supervise children with autism and ADHD. I help them develop their strengths and reach their potential. Volunteering at Choices allows me to support people going through big changes in their lives or struggling with uncertainty, while at the same time building a new sense of belonging. I feel it is important to provide a safe and understanding space where LGBTQ+ asylum seekers feel truly heard. My goal is to provide a place where you can talk freely, feel accepted and know that you are not alone. You can reach me on Thursdays between 6pm and 9pm. I am fluent in Turkish and English and I am there to listen and help where I can.
Friday Helpline:
Friday 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Martyna (PL/EN)
Hello, my name is Martyna and I was born and raised in Olsztyn, Poland. I have a bachelor's degree in psychology and recently completed my master's degree in clinical neuropsychology. I am passionate about mental health because I feel that this topic is still undervalued and often overlooked in our society. During my internship at university, I gained practical experience in both clinical work and counseling, skills that I now apply in my volunteer work. I volunteer at Choices Support Center because I firmly believe that everyone has the right to psychological support. As a member of the LGBTQI+ community, I feel it is especially important to contribute to a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for all. I speak both Polish and English and really enjoy connecting with people from different backgrounds.
Friday 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Gizem (EN/TR)
My name is Gizem and I am from Cyprus. I obtained a bachelor's degree from Eastern Mediterranean University and recently completed a master's degree in neuropsychology at Maastricht University. I am currently studying cognitive behavioral therapy and have completed EMDR training. At Choices, I support clients in English and Turkish, so that counseling can be provided in their native language. With clinical supervision and support from Choices, I offer professional, safe, and inclusive care. I am highly motivated to support LGBTQI+ asylum seekers and status holders, which is why I volunteer at the Choices Support Center. Choices' mission closely aligns with my values.
Download our free Choices 4 Better Living app.
You can use the links below to download the multilingual Choices app with free helpline. The Choices 4 Better Living app is designed to help you find suitable stigma-free queer-friendly care and assistance providers in the Netherlands.
Our app is available in both the App Store and the Google Play Store.
Volunteer
Choices welcomes anyone interested in volunteering with us. You can fill out an application form on our website. Once we receive your application, we will decide whether to invite you for an interview.
The application process consists of two steps. First, there is an interview with the director. Selected candidates are then interviewed and screened by our psychologist. This ensures that all our volunteers are psychologically well prepared and able to support callers who are dealing with stress, trauma, isolation, and PTSD.
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