Lumi, the helpline run by çavaria, had a record year in 2025. Never before have so many people reached out seeking help related to mental wellbeing, violence and discrimination, and asylum. With 1,255 calls, an increase of 15% compared to 2024, not only did the number of calls rise, but the severity of the cases is also a cause for concern. The 2025 annual figures reveal a painful reality within the LGBTQIA+ community.
The data shows that mental wellbeing is under pressure. For the first time, wellbeing was the most discussed topic in calls over the past year. With 315 calls (+50%), Lumi has seen a sharp increase in conversations about anxiety, loneliness, and depression. The number of discussions about suicide has even doubled.
Calls concerning violence and discrimination also doubled over the past year, reaching 221. The figures behind these reports are alarming: verbal and psychological violence quadrupled, while physical violence was reported three times more often than in 2024.
A third notable category is calls related to asylum and safety. With numbers doubling compared to 2024, one in five calls now concerns asylum and migration. For this group, Lumi is often the only place where they can access reliable information in a safe environment.
Structural shortcomings in care
According to çavaria, these figures show that many LGBTQIA+ individuals, despite strong legal protections, still face violence, discrimination, and lower levels of wellbeing. At the same time, Lumi’s figures signal that mainstream support services are still falling short. LGBTQIA+ individuals too often encounter misunderstanding or professionals with insufficient knowledge, which leads them to turn to Lumi.
“What once seemed exceptional has now become structural”, says Thomas Jans, spokesperson for çavaria. “For many, Lumi is a necessity because other doors remain closed.” Despite the crucial role the helpline plays, Lumi still operates without structural funding, relying on volunteers and the community. The combination of rising demand and increasingly complex support needs makes this situation unsustainable.
Need for information and call to professionals
In addition to its listening service, Lumi’s information function remains essential. In 2025, topics such as polyamory, transgender identities, and asexuality were among the most searched on the website. This highlights the need for reliable, accessible information about diverse identities. In total, the website was consulted 143,935 times.
In light of these figures, çavaria is making an urgent appeal to policymakers and care providers to invest in inclusive care. Not every professional needs to be an expert, but openness, a willingness to listen, and the desire to learn are essential. Çavaria offers specific training and tools to support this.
The figures from Lumi further underline the need for a structural approach, with responsibility shared across society. “As long as violence and poor wellbeing remain a reality for many LGBTQIA+ individuals, the work of çavaria and Lumi remains crucial”, concludes Thomas Jans.
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