From 2022 to 2027, the Vontobel Foundation is supporting the project "Counseling in Individual Chat for Adolescents and Young Adults" led by 143.ch – The Offered Hand to expand its capacity for pastoral chat counseling.
The Swiss association "The Offered Hand" is the best-known point of contact for emotional first aid in Switzerland. Around 700 trained volunteers are available as conversation partners to people in need by phone, chat, or e-mail. The association is open to everyone, regardless of age or issue, and is accessible 24/7 through the emergency number 143 or online, anonymously, confidentially, and free of charge. It contributes significantly to the prevention of suicide, violence, and addiction.
Through these helpline conversations, people are empowered to reflect on their situation and recognize their inner resources. Such conversations can lift an emotional burden from callers’ shoulders and help them see their difficulties in a new light.
In Zurich, The Offered Hand already began offering online counseling via email and chat in 2002. In recent years, the demand for this low-threshold psychosocial counseling through individual chat has increased significantly, especially among adolescents and young adults; this channel is particularly suitable for discussing their often very sensitive issues.
The project "Counseling in Individual Chat for Adolescents and Young Adults" aimed to expand the organization’s capacity for chat counseling, requiring the training of new chat counselors. At the same time, quality assurance needed to be developed further through dependable chat monitoring, supervision, and ongoing training of volunteer staff. With more than 60 years of telephone counseling experience, The Offered Hand benefits from an excellent reputation.
In the podcast "Benevoltalk – The Swiss Podcast for Associations, Organizations, and Volunteers," a volunteer from 143.ch shares their experience (available only in Swiss German).
"We reach young people mainly through online counseling via chat or email. They often find it difficult to talk on the phone."
Matthias Herren, Director, The Offered Hand
"The Offered Hand makes a significant contribution to the psychosocial health of the population."
Dr. Martin Sieg Castagnola, Board Member, Vontobel Foundation