About Us - CHS - Community Help Service

OUR STORY

CHS is a non-profit organisation based in Brussels, dedicated to supporting the English-speaking community by providing accessible, confidential, and dependable mental health care. Founded in 1971, today it is a trusted source of support and guidance for individuals in Belgium and beyond who face emotional and psychological challenges.

With the help of trained volunteers, we operate a 24-hour Helpline that receives thousands of calls each year from people struggling with anxiety, depression, loneliness, and other mental health concerns. We also offer practical information and resources to help newcomers adjust to life in Belgium.

Our Mental Health Services Centre (MHSC) provides in-person consultations with a team of qualified professionals. We offer a wide range of services, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation for mental health and related issues.

Thanks to our dedicated team of professional therapists and volunteers – both on the Helpline and at our office – CHS offers a safe, supportive space for people of all ages to find help, reassurance, and guidance, 24 hours a day.

Over the years, CHS has developed unmatched expertise in offering both compassionate listening and professional therapeutic support for the many challenges individuals face during times of stress.

OUR HISTORY

In the late 1960s, a clear need emerged to support the growing English-speaking expatriate community in Belgium. This was driven in part by a steady influx of English speakers arriving in Brussels during the negotiations surrounding Ireland and the United Kingdom’s entry into the European Economic Community (now the European Union).

Both in-person and telephone-based support was provided from the late 1960s, thanks to a team of volunteers. This led to the establishment of the ASBL “The Help Contact Centre” which was later restructured and renamed: Community Help Service (CHS).

Originally, CHS was focused on operating the Helpline with a team of trained volunteers. The majority of calls at the time, related to the need for practical information as callers relocating to Belgium were in search of resources, in the pre-internet world!

The CHS Helpline continues to provide practical information, but today it mainly operates as a support and crisis Helpline, in response to a growing general need in society for Mental Health support.

The Mental Health Services Centre was subsequently opened, responding to the need for longer-term in-person mental health support. The MHSC is staffed by a team of professional therapists with a range of experience and disciplines, offering appointments in English as well as other languages.

Today, CHS’s reach goes far beyond the English-speaking expatriate community. Callers and clients are from English-speakers of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

“Community Help Service is a truly unique organisation. Our 24/7 Helpline, anonymous and fully confidential, is staffed entirely by dedicated volunteers who provide vital support to thousands of callers each year. Alongside this, the Mental Health Services Centre delivers a broad range of professional mental health services in English and other languages, through our expert Clinical Team. We are also proud to work with a network of affiliated professionals who bring additional expertise in areas such as mindfulness, eating disorders, family mediation and therapy, as well as life and career coaching.

Originally founded to serve the British and American communities in Belgium, CHS has evolved alongside the growing and increasingly diverse English-speaking population – now expanded by the broader membership of the European Union. At a time when awareness of the importance of mental health is growing worldwide, CHS is uniquely positioned to offer compassionate support, guidance, and a listening ear to those in need.

I am proud to be part of CHS and the vital work it continues to do.”

Jeremy Jennings, President of the CHS Council

OUR HISTORY

In the late 1960s the need to provide support to the growing English-speaking expatriate community in Belgium was identified. At the time, there was a steady influx of English speakers arriving in Brussels in the context of the ongoing negotiations between Ireland and the United Kingdom to join the European Economic Community (now the EU).

The CHS Helpline continues to provide practical information, but today it mainly operates as a support and crisis Helpline, in response to a growing general need in society for Mental Health support.

Today, CHS’s reach goes far beyond the English-speaking expatriate community. Callers and clients are from English-speakers of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Jeremy Jennings, President of the CHS Council

THE WAY WE WORK

CHS is a non-profit organisation registered under Belgian law, which has been supporting the English-speaking community of Belgium since 1971. CHS is a member-based organisation. The General Assembly is composed of the membership as defined in the CHS Statutes. The General Assembly meets annually with specific statutory obligations, including the election of a Council and approval of the annual budget. The Council has a strategic and oversight role and is assisted by the Executive Committee which is responsible for the operational aspects of CHS.

CHS COUNCIL

The CHS Council comprises representatives from a diverse array of sectors, representing a cross section of the English speaking community in Belgium. This includes members from multinational corporations, small businesses, churches, and legal and financial firms, ensuring a comprehensive representation of community interests. Despite receiving no financial compensation, Council Members generously contribute their time and expertise, underscoring their dedication to community service.

JEREMY JENNINGS | PRESIDENT

Jeremy Jennings arrived in Belgium in 1990 as Head of Regulatory Affairs at Arthur Andersen.

He later joined EY, where he served as Regulatory & Public Policy Leader until his retirement at the end of 2016.

Throughout his career, Jeremy has held several prominent leadership roles, including President of the British Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Vice-President of COBCOE, the umbrella organisation for British Chambers across continental Europe.

He also served as President of Professional Accountants in Belgium and was a Board member of the Boitsfort Rugby Club until 2022.

Jeremy joined the CHS Council in May 2018 and has served as President since 2019.

STEPHEN MAZURKIEWICZ | TREASURER

Stephen Mazurkiewicz arrived in Belgium in 1986 as a newly qualified accountant, intending to spend a few years abroad before returning to the UK.

Nearly 40 years later, he is still here. Over the course of his career, he has worked for large American corporations, specializing in accounting, audit, and systems.

An active member of the expat sporting community, he has been both a player and treasurer for the Royal Brussels British Football Club.

Now, he is eager to contribute in new ways, bringing his financial expertise to CHS in his role as Treasurer.

JOHN CHALMERS | VICE PRESIDENT

John Chalmers is a journalist with 35 years of experience, most of it with Reuters as a correspondent and senior editor.

His career has taken him to nearly 50 countries, with postings in France, Belgium, India, Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam.

He has covered conflicts and humanitarian crises worldwide, winning several press awards, including a Pulitzer Prize as part of a Reuters team reporting on the persecution of the Rohingya in Myanmar.

John leads communications efforts for CHS, revamping its website in 2025, and stepping up initiatives both on social media and offline to raise awareness of the 24/7 Helpline, attract new volunteers, and secure funding.

John is also actively involved with the charity Serve the City Brussels, where he leads a project teaching English to refugees.

SARAH PRZEDNOWEK I CLINICAL TEAM REPRESENTATIVE

Sarah Przednowek is a Belgian psychiatrist and psychotherapist working with children, adolescents, and adults. She trained in Belgium and Switzerland and has additional training in systemic/family therapy, mentalization-based therapy, and dialectical behavioural therapy. Sarah is also specialized in perinatal mental health and works in both English and French. She brings a broad clinical perspective to the CHS Council, informed by her work across different age groups and therapeutic approaches.

JUNONA SKLENSKIENE I CLINICAL TEAM REPRESENTATIVE

Junona Sklenskiene is a psychiatrist and psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience working in both hospital and outpatient settings. She provides individual psychotherapy for adults using a psychoanalytical approach and offers pharmacological treatment for a range of mental health conditions. Junona works in English, Lithuanian, and Russian, and brings deep clinical expertise to her role on the CHS Council.

LOUISE COGAN I MEMBER

Prior to her move to Brussels in 1995, Louise Cogan lived in New York City where she worked as an addiction specialist for Odyssey House, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre and as an organizational psychologist for Elmhurst Hospital in Queens. In Brussels, Louise worked for the EU office of Arthur Andersen and then as an organizational psychologist for SWIFT, Belgium.

For the last 25 years Louise has juggled her role as a full -time stay-at-home parent with volunteering and fundraising for a number of charities and causes, including the annual BBC Trivia Quiz in Aid of Children in Need, Mothers At Risk, Platforme Citoyen for Syrian Refugees, The Duchess of Richmonds’ Ball, Les Pastoureaux boys choir and Ukraine Relief.

Louise joined the volunteer team of the CHS in 2020 and became a member of the Council in 2025. Her work will focus on school and university outreach to promote well being and mental health support for young people.

EMILY RILEY I MEMBER

Emily Riley brings a strong commitment to CHS and its mission, supporting the Clinical Team, Helpline and office volunteers, and the network of affiliated professionals of which she is a member. With a background in law and public affairs, she offers advocacy skills to help advance CHS’s work in supporting the mental health needs of the English-speaking community in Belgium. Emily will represent the CHS Affiliated Professionals (APs) on the Council, ensuring their diverse perspectives are reflected in key discussions and decisions. Her own area of expertise is life and career coaching for adults and teens, and she serves as a voice for a multidisciplinary team offering support in areas such as mindfulness, eating disorders, and family mediation.

LYN TRYTSMAN-GRAY I MEMBER

Lyn Trytsman-Gray has a background in EU advocacy and communication and has been in Belgium since 1988. She has established and headed up EU offices of international associations and major corporations in a variety of sectors (packaging, pharmaceuticals, retail, food, media). She was also a founder of the professional organisation for public affairs professionals.

Since 2021 Lyn has devoted her time and energy to volunteering. She began as an office volunteer at CHS in early 2022 where she is the coordinator for the clinical team of psychiatrists and therapists for adults.

Lyn has also been volunteering with the Red Cross, Serve The City and Friskis & Svettis (a sports club run entirely by volunteers). She is a Board member of Friskis and Svettis and of the Brussels British Community Association – one of the organisations which raises funds for CHS.

In addition to her office work at CHS, Lyn would like to contribute more to the organisation at a strategic level including outreach initiatives and representing CHS interests.

JUNONA SKLENSKIENE I CLINICAL TEAM REPRESENTATIVE

LOUISE COGAN I MEMBER

Prior to her move to Brussels in 1995, Louise Cogan lived in New York City where she worked as an addiction specialist for Odyssey House, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre and as an organizational psychologist for Elmhurst Hospital in Queens. In Brussels, Louise worked for the EU office of Arthur Anderson and then as an organizational psychologist for SWIFT, Belgium.

Louise joined the volunteer team of the CHS in 2020 and became a member of the council in 2025. Her work will focus on school and university outreach to promote well being and mental health support for young people.

EMILY RILEY I MEMBER

BEVERLEY WARNER-KELTJENS | ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER, CHS OFFICE

Beverley Warner-Keltjens leads the team of Office volunteers at CHS. She first arrived in Brussels many years ago, living and working here for about eight years before embarking on a journey with her family, living in various countries. Upon returning to Brussels, she was eager to make a meaningful contribution to the community and found that opportunity at CHS. She is grateful to be part of the organisation and to support its important work.

SIMON DWYER | HELPLINE SUPERVISOR

With over 20 years of experience in mental health and wellbeing, Simon Dwyer is a skilled counsellor, psychotherapist, organisational psychologist, and coach. He also brings extensive training as a mindfulness and meditation instructor—something he considers essential to his own life. Passionate about personal growth, Simon thrives on helping people deepen their self-understanding and develop the tools they need to reconnect, regain balance, and live with confidence and purpose.

CHANA SCHNEPS | HELPLINE SUPERVISOR

Chana Schneps is a psychiatric social worker and psychotherapist with extensive experience working with adults, both individually and as couples. She takes an eclectic approach, drawing on psychodynamic and systemic methods, and is specialized in bereavement therapy. A longtime CHS Helpline supervisor, Chana has provided invaluable support to volunteers and helped maintain the high quality of the service over many years. She works in English, Hebrew, and French, and brings both clinical expertise and deep commitment to the CHS mission.

MARTA NOORDHOEK | CLINICAL TEAM REPRESENTATIVE

Marta Noordhoek is a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist with extensive experience working with adults. Currently a member of the clinical directorate at CHS, Marta contributes to a team dedicated to providing high-quality mental health care. Originally from Kraków, Poland, Marta has lived in Belgium since 2009. Prior to joining CHS, Marta worked at the Military Hospital in Wrocław, Poland, and at Psygroup in Brussels, gaining valuable experience in diverse clinical settings. Marta is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing work and mission of CHS.

SARAH PRZEDNOWEK I CLINICAL TEAM REPRESENTATIVE

JUNONA SKLENSKIENE I CLINICAL TEAM REPRESENTATIVE

LOUISE COGAN I MEMBER

Prior to her move to Brussels in 1995, Louise Cogan lived in New York City where she worked as an addiction specialist for Odyssey House, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre and as an organizational psychologist for Elmhurst Hospital in Queens. In Brussels, Louise worked for the EU office of Arthur Anderson and then as an organizational psychologist for SWIFT, Belgium.

LAURENT DANS I MEMBER

Laurent Dans is a senior expert in the banking and insurance industry, currently working with KBC Group, the official bankers for CHS. He previously spent four years at BNP Paribas Fortis and holds a range of qualifications, including an online Master’s in Sustainable Business Strategy from Harvard Business School. While new to CHS, Laurent brings valuable financial and strategic expertise that will strengthen the Council’s work and long-term planning.

MALCOLM JOHNSON | MEMBER

Malcolm Johnson arrived in Belgium over 40 years ago. After a decade of teaching, he transitioned into business and international human resource management, working with several large firms before becoming an international HR consultant. His wife, Françoise, is French, and their two sons live in Belgium. It was his son’s early struggles with the complexities of bilingualism that first brought the Johnson family to CHS. Grateful for the support they received, Malcolm joined the Council as a way to give back. Since then, he has played a key role in expanding CHS’s business connections, representing the organisation in the community, securing sponsorships, and organising fundraising events.

ALEXANDER MONTAGUE-SPAREY I MEMBER

Alexander Montague-Sparey is a British artist and curator, born in Geneva and based in Brussels after nearly two decades in London. An active member of the CHS Helpline Committee, he joined the Council to help enhance the experience for both callers and volunteers. He holds degrees from the University of Durham, the University of Oxford, and Goldsmiths (University of London). Through his artistic and curatorial work, he explores themes of identity and promotes awareness of the human condition. A member of the LGBTQIA+ community, he is particularly engaged in gender identity discourse.

JONATHAN MURRAY | MEMBER

Jonathan Murray, a dual Belgian and UK national, has extensive experience in telecoms, technology, finance, and education. Based in Brussels since 2000, he has held leadership roles at France Telecom, the trade association DIGITALEUROPE, the think tank Friends of Europe, and the International School of Brussels. He currently serves as COO of the trade body IAB Europe. Jonathan has also been a board member of the Jane Goodall Institute Belgium and the European Institute for Industrial Leadership, joining CHS in 2023. A dedicated practitioner of mindfulness and meditation, he is passionate about ice baths and cold showers.

EMILY RILEY I MEMBER

THERESE SHRYANE I MEMBER

Therese Shryane brings a deep personal commitment to mental health advocacy, shaped by her experience growing up in Ireland and witnessing the impact of suicide and self-harm in her community. She has worked with the Darkness into Light / Pieta Ireland organising committee for several years, including the most recent Brussels event, now supporting CHS as its sole beneficiary in Belgium. With 15 years in Brussels and a decade at the European Commission, she is passionate about community-based approaches to mental health and the social determinants of health. As a Council member she will contribute actively to CHS’ mission and help raise its profile within the international community.

NIKI SOUTINE | MEMBER

Niki Soutine has lived in Brussels for over two decades, working in a freelance capacity while earning a degree in psychology and raising two children. She also dedicated five years as a Helpline volunteer at CHS before joining the Council in May 2016. Currently, she serves as the School Secretary and Assistant to the Head at ISF Waterloo International School.

JULIE-ANNE STENNETT | MEMBER

Julie-Anne Stennett has lived in Belgium since 2002, initially working with a charity focused on children and youth. After a few years, she transitioned into a role as a Special Needs teacher, where she first connected with members of the CHS community. Many of the children she worked with were assessed at CHS, with some receiving therapy and parental support. This experience allowed her to share valuable information about the CHS Helpline with parents, colleagues, and friends in need. Recognising her insight into the educational sector, she was invited to join the CHS Council to provide a school’s perspective.

HELPLINE REPRESENTATIVE TO THE COUNCIL

All Helpline volunteers remain anonymous

Stay informed

NEWS & EVENTS

Too many calls. Help

March 24, 2022

Following an unprecedented increase in suicide calls in 2021, CHS urgently needs more volunteers for its 24/7 English-language helpline.

The non-profit organisation operates the free helpline service from its mental health services centre in Ixelles.

“We desperately need more volunteers,” says one of the voluntary team who represents the body to CHS’s board of directors. For the past six months, the service has been operating with only 15 people instead of the preferred contingent of around 30.

24/7 HELPLINE

March 14, 2025

Thank you! Saint Anthony’s Parish, Kraainem

Community Help Service would like to acknowledge the generous donations made by the parishioners of St Anthony's from the collections over the weekend of the 25th & 26th January 2025 which totalled an incredible 1679,34 euros.

Two CHS volunteers (Geoff and Yvonne) spoke about the essential support that our English-speaking Helpline can offer people in times of distress.

All of the funds go directly to supporting the CHS Helpline which is staffed by dedicated volunteers.

Thank you so much for your support to Community Help Service.

Beating the winter blues

January 19, 2025

With the days still short and temperatures low, many people experience a feeling of lethargy, sadness, or a general sense of melancholy often referred to as the "winter blues."

The lack of sunlight and increased time indoors can contribute to a dip in mood and energy levels. But there is good news – there are many effective strategies to combat these seasonal challenges and keep your spirits high throughout the winter months.

The clinical team at the Community Help Service (CHS) Brussels-based Mental Health Services Centre have provided some tips on how to beat the winter blues and embrace a brighter, healthier year ahead.

Get In Touch

COMPLAINTS & FEEDBACK

Complaints

If you have any concerns or should you wish to make a general complaint about the Mental Health Services Centre or the Helpline service, you may email us at: office@chsbelgium.org.

Should the complaint relate to the professional conduct of a specific member of the Clinical Team then please address your email to complaintsct@chsbelgium.org

Your concern or complaint will be handled in confidence in accordance with our internal procedures, and you may request that your identity not be divulged beyond the limited group of persons assessing the concern and possible responses or remedies.

You may also contact the regulatory bodies of the profession if you have concerns about the conduct or practice of doctors or psychologists. The Offices at the Mental Health Services Centre at CHS can also provide the contact points for the regulatory bodies responsible for the relevant profession in Belgium.

General feedback and comments

Please submit general feedback on your experience with CHS using the form below:

OUR STORY

OUR HISTORY

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

OUR HISTORY

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

THE WAY WE WORK

CHS COUNCIL