Helpline for adults
116 123Emotional crisis, suicidal thoughts (ITAKA Foundation).
24 hours, 7 days a week
Help & crisis
You are not alone.
Help is within reach.
If you're going through a hard moment, reach for free support. The numbers below operate independently of my practice — many of them around the clock. They are Polish helplines.
Helplines
Free phone support
The call is anonymous and free. You can call whenever you need to talk — including at night.
Helpline for children & youth
116 111Support for people under 18 (Empowering Children Foundation).
24 hours
Crisis Support Centre
800 70 2222Psychological help during a mental health crisis.
24 hours
Children's Helpline (Ombudsman)
800 12 12 12Ombudsman for Children — for children and carers.
24 hours
Anti-depression helpline
22 484 88 01For people with depression and their loved ones (ITAKA Foundation).
Mon–Fri, check duty hours
Bereavement support line
800 108 108For people after the loss of a loved one (Nagle Sami Foundation).
Mon–Fri, 14:00–20:00
Free care
Support within the public system (NFZ)
Mental Health Centres
Under the public system (NFZ), Mental Health Centres provide help free of charge and without a referral. At the Coordination Point you can receive initial support even on the day you reach out.
Find the nearest centre →Crisis Intervention Centres
Crisis Intervention Centres (OIK) at social welfare offices offer free, short-term psychological support in acute crises — also in person, around the clock. You can also initiate the Blue Card procedure there.
Important: brainLab.center is not a crisis intervention facility and does not provide round-the-clock help. If your life or health is at risk, please use the emergency numbers above. When you feel safer, you're welcome to get in touch so we can work on things calmly and over time.
Domestic violence
Blue Card — how to start the procedure?
The Blue Card (Niebieska Karta) is a formal protection pathway for people experiencing domestic violence. It can be initiated without your consent and triggers coordinated action by multiple agencies at once.
Screening tool
Not sure whether what you're experiencing is abuse?
I've prepared an anonymous questionnaire (20 questions) that helps name difficult behaviours in a relationship. It is not psychometrically validated — it serves only as a pointer and a starting point for conversation. Questions are in Polish.
Recommendation: If possible, go first to a Crisis Intervention Centre (OIK/CIK) rather than directly to the police. OIK/CIK staff are specially trained to work with people in crisis — you will be met with greater empathy, better listening, and comprehensive support (psychological, legal, social) all in one place. The Blue Card procedure can be initiated through either the OIK or the police.
Step by step
- 01
Go to an OIK or the police
You can come in person or call. Describe the situation — what is happening, for how long, who the perpetrator is. You do not need evidence or witnesses.
- 02
Completion of form NK–A
A representative of the institution fills in the "Blue Card – A" form with your details, a description of the violence and information about the perpetrator. This formally initiates the procedure.
- 03
Referral to the Interdisciplinary Team
The form goes to the Interdisciplinary Team (ZI) in your municipality within 7 days. The ZI appoints a Working Group — a team that will oversee your case.
- 04
Meeting with the Working Group
Within 7–30 days you will be invited to a meeting. A support plan for you (form NK–C) and a plan for working with the perpetrator (NK–D) will be drawn up.
- 05
Monitoring and closure
The procedure continues until the violence has stopped and the situation has stabilised. It can be closed by the Working Group after at least 3 months without reports of violence.
Good to know
- No consent needed. The procedure can be initiated by any authorised institution — a doctor, teacher, social worker or police officer — even without your agreement.
- Free and confidential. All actions under the procedure are free of charge. Your data is protected.
- Violence is not only physical. The procedure also covers psychological, economic and sexual violence within the family.
- Immediate eviction. In urgent cases the police can order the perpetrator to leave the home immediately.
Niebieska Linia — free helpline
Information, support and consultation for people affected by domestic violence. Around the clock, free of charge.
800 120 002 24 h
niebieskalinia.pl →