Queen Máxima visited the Amsterdam health & technology center (AHTC) today for the volunteer day of 113 Zelfmoordpreventie (suicide prevention). 113 Suicide Prevention is the national Dutch suicide prevention centre that provides a range of online services aimed at suicide prevention in healthcare and beyond.

During this day, volunteers and staff came together to discuss their work, reflect on developments and follow trainings. The ‘113 Vraag Maar’ app was launched. The app teaches relatives and other people involved in a simple way how to have a conversation with someone who is thinking of suicide.

Queen Máxima was present at the launch of the app, spoke to volunteers, staff and trainers about their work and visited the call center where volunteers and interns have conversations by phone and chat.

People who are thinking of suicide can use the helpline to talk or chat anonymously with trained volunteers and interns. In addition, the organization offers anonymous therapy and does scientific research. 113 works in close cooperation with the mental health institutes’ crisis centres and offers training to professionals.

In the Netherlands, an average of five people per day die due to suicide. Annually, the helpline has over 50,000 phone and chat conversations with people who need help.