DepressionsForeningen

What DepressionsForeningen does

DepressionsForeningen is a Danish nonprofit association (forening), founded in 1998 and headquartered at Slagelsegade 1, Copenhagen Ø, with 33 employees and registered under CVR 20934506. It is Denmark's leading civil society organization dedicated exclusively to depression and bipolar disorder, serving individuals directly affected by these conditions and their relatives. The organization runs a multi-channel support ecosystem comprising two national telephone helplines (Depressionslinien and Socialrådgiverlinien), 32+ self-help groups spanning all six Danish regions, four physical social cafés (Café Blom in Copenhagen, Café HØK in Aalborg, Café ODA in Aarhus and Odense), and age-segmented programs including Blom Ung (18-30), Blom Senior (65+), and the English-speaking Blom Collective. Additional programming includes the Mind Your Music project in North Jutland, a Sommerhøjskole summer folk high school, the Balance member magazine, a podcast series, and online lectures.

The underlying technology infrastructure is standard for a civil society nonprofit: a website, email newsletter, social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), and event management for community activities. The only third-party technology dependency of note is The Music Star app, licensed for the Mind Your Music music-therapy project. No proprietary platforms, APIs, or AI/ML systems are disclosed.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit funding structure: recurring revenue from three annual membership tiers (individual, corporate, and clinic/institution), voluntary donations and bequests solicited via the website with MobilePay and bank transfer channels, and transactional revenue from a webshop selling merchandise and books. Most services are free to attend, with a 3-4 visit trial period before ongoing self-help group participation requires paid membership. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. Distribution is direct and physical across Denmark, supplemented by phone helplines and online lectures, with community events, local word-of-mouth, and Folkemøde political festival participation driving awareness and member acquisition.

Name

DepressionsForeningen

Legal name

DepressionsForeningen

Website

https://depressionsforeningen.dk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DepressionsForeningen is a Danish nonprofit association, founded in 1998, operating nationwide helplines, self-help groups, and social cafés to support people with depression or bipolar disorder and their relatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Peer Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH)

Keywords

• Mental health support
• Peer self-help groups
• Telephone helpline services
• Depression community programs
• Nonprofit patient association

Headquarters

HQ city

Copenhagen Ø

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Individual, corporate, and clinic/institution membership tiers provide recurring revenue. Membership is a prerequisite for participation in many activities, including self-help groups (non-members can trial participation 3-4 times).
2. Donations and bequests: The association actively solicits donations through its website, including one-time and recurring donation options (e.g., 50 kr, 100 kr, 200 kr). Bequests and testamentary giving are also promoted as a significant revenue stream. MobilePay (284825) and bank transfer (Reg. 1551, Account 0009625100) are accepted.
3. Webshop sales: The association operates a webshop selling merchandise, books, and related items, generating non-recurring transaction revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

DepressionsForeningen is a Danish nonprofit association that provides free peer support, counseling, and community services for individuals affected by depression and bipolar disorder, as well as their relatives. Its core services include telephone helplines (DepressionsLinien and Socialr\u00e5dgiverlinien), 32+ volunteer-led self-help groups across all Danish regions, four social caf\u00e9s/activity centers in Copenhagen, Aalborg, Aarhus, and Odense, and age-segmented community programs such as Blom Ung, Blom Senior, and the English-language Blom Collective.

Product overview

DepressionsForeningen is a nationwide Danish nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive ecosystem of support services for people affected by depression, bipolar disorder, and their relatives. The organization provides a multi-channel support model centered around helplines (Depressionslinien and Socialrådgiverlinien), peer-led self-help groups operating across Danish regions, and social cafés including Café Blom (Copenhagen), Café HØK (Aalborg), and Café ODA (Aarhus). Targeted programs include Blom Ung (youth 18-30), Blom Senior (seniors 65+), and Blom Collective (English-speaking community). The organization also runs Mind Your Music, a music-based intervention project for young people, along with summer folk high school courses, podcasts, and the Balance member magazine. This portfolio of interconnected services—from crisis support to community-building and educational programming—forms a layered support system addressing the diverse needs of individuals and families affected by mood disorders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Café Blom: Activity house in Copenhagen for people with stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and OCD. Houses Blom Ung, Blom Senior, and Blom Collective programs.
• Blom Ung
• Blom Senior
• Blom Collective
• Café HØK
• Café ODA
• MÆNDtal
• KvindeRum
• SAMtal 26+

Products and services

• DepressionsLinien A telephone helpline providing support for people affected by depression and bipolar disorder, available Monday to Friday 19:00-21:00.
• Socialr\u00e5dgiverlinien A social worker helpline offering guidance on rights, resources, and social matters related to mental health conditions, available Wednesday 17:00-18:30.
• Selvhj\u00e6lpsgrupper (Self-help Groups) Peer support groups for individuals with depression or bipolar disorder and their relatives, led by trained volunteers across multiple cities in Denmark. Free to attend 3-4 times; annual membership required for ongoing participation.
• Caf\u00e9 Blom An activity center in Copenhagen providing open caf\u00e9, lectures, nature tours, creative workshops, and social events for people affected by depression, stress, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and OCD. Houses Blom Ung, Blom Senior, and Blom Collective programs.
• Blom Ung A community program for young adults aged 18-30 in Copenhagen, offering drop-in sessions, social activities, group courses, and SocialStrik (knitting community).
• Blom Senior A community program for seniors aged 65+ in Copenhagen, offering gatherings with presentations on mental health, singing groups, reading sessions, and nature excursions.
• Blom Collective An English-speaking community program offering workshops on nature therapy, classic topics, and art for international residents in Denmark interested in mental health.
• Caf\u00e9 H\u00d8K A social caf\u00e9 in Aalborg providing open caf\u00e9 sessions, self-help groups, Lyttehj\u00f8rne (music listening sessions), singing, craft activities, and nature tours for people affected by depression, bipolar disorder, stress, anxiety, OCD, and relatives.
• Caf\u00e9 ODA A social caf\u00e9 in Aarhus providing drop-in sessions, lectures, and themed evenings for people affected by depression, stress, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, and relatives.
• Mind Your Music A music-based project in North Jutland for young people aged 18-24, using evidence-based music listening methods and The Music Star app to promote mental health and community through listening guide-led group sessions.
• Sommerh\u00f8jskole (Summer Folk High School) A summer folk high school program offering immersive residential courses focused on mental health and community for members.
• Workshopforl\u00f8b for depressionsramte og p\u00e5r\u00f8rende A 6-session workshop program where people with depression and their relatives participate together to create safe dialogue spaces, build mutual understanding, and develop practical tools for managing changed relationship dynamics.

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• LundbeckminorOthersLundbeck appears as a sponsor in the Café Blom sponsors section on the DepressionsForeningen website. Lundbeck is a Danish pharmaceutical company focused on brain diseases. The nature of the sponsorship support (financial, in-kind, or other) is not detailed.
• LagkagehusetminorOthersLagkagehuset (a Danish bakery chain) appears as a sponsor in the Café Blom sponsors section on the DepressionsForeningen website. The nature of the sponsorship (financial, product donation, or other) is not detailed.
• KL (Kommunernes Landsforening)minorOthersKL (Danish Municipalities' Association) appears as a sponsor in the Café Blom sponsors section. KL represents Danish municipalities and may provide institutional or project support.
• The Music StarcoreTechnology or IntegrationThe Music Star is an app developed by music therapists Helle Nystrup Lund and Lars Rye Bertelsen. It is used as the core technology platform in the Mind Your Music project for guided music listening sessions designed to create mental breaks, regulate the nervous system, reduce rumination, improve sleep, and provide energy. Licensed for use within the project.
• ParadigmeskiftetminorOthersParadigmeskiftet is the facility/building operator housing Café ODA Aarhus at Nørreport 26D, 2nd floor. DepressionsForeningen operates Café ODA within Paradigmeskiftet's premises.
• Angstforeningen (Danish Anxiety Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAngstforeningen was a co-founding partner of Café ODA, which was initiated by DepressionsForeningen, Angstforeningen, and OCD Foreningen. Café ODA is now operated solely by DepressionsForeningen.
• OCD Foreningen (Danish OCD Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOCD Foreningen was a co-founding partner of Café ODA, which was initiated by DepressionsForeningen, Angstforeningen, and OCD Foreningen. Café ODA is now operated solely by DepressionsForeningen.
• ROSA (Danish Rock Council)minorOthersROSA is the Danish Rock Council that has launched the SOLO project, a concert format targeting vulnerable young people. DepressionsForeningen's Lyttehjørne LIVE events (featuring artists like Carmie) are part of the SOLO project, which aims to bring live music to groups that do not feel comfortable in traditional concert settings.
• Mind Museum (Middelfart)minorOthersMind Museum in Middelfart is a new museum about Danish psychiatric history that aims to make it easier to talk about mental illness. DepressionsForeningen is featured in a news article about the museum, suggesting a collaborative awareness-raising relationship around mental health destigmatization.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Angstforeningen (Danish Anxiety Association): Denmark's national association for anxiety disorders, providing peer support, helplines, and community cafés. Co-founded Café ODA with DepressionsForeningen, sharing an almost identical GTM motion in adjacent mental health conditions.
• Bedre Psykiatri: Danish civil society organization advocating for better mental health services and supporting people with mental illness and their relatives nationwide — directly comparable mission and constituency to DepressionsForeningen.
• Sind – Landsforeningen for psykisk sundhed: Denmark's largest mental health interest organization offering local counseling, self-help networks, and political advocacy. Operates a similar nationwide civic-society model with local associations and volunteer-driven support.
• OCD Foreningen (Danish OCD Association): Danish nonprofit serving people with OCD and their relatives via self-help groups and community programs. Co-founded Café ODA with DepressionsForeningen and operates the same civil society model for a closely related condition.

Broad incumbents

• Mind (UK): England and Wales' leading mental health charity delivering helplines, peer support groups, community programs, and policy advocacy. Closest international analogue in scale, program mix, and operating model.
• Beyond Blue (Australia): Australia's national depression and anxiety initiative offering helplines, peer support, and community programs funded by government and philanthropy. Strong operational analogue in a single-country mental health nonprofit.
• Mental Health Foundation (UK): UK charity focused on mental health prevention, public education, and community programs. Comparable in combining public-facing campaigns with grants-funded intervention projects.
• SANE Australia: Australian mental health charity running a national helpline (SANELINE), peer support forums, and stigma reduction campaigns. Closely comparable program mix of helpline + community + advocacy.
• Mental Health America (MHA): US community-based nonprofit operating helplines, screening tools, peer support, and public policy advocacy. Comparable nationwide service model serving people with depression and bipolar disorder.
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): US-based grassroots mental health organization with affiliated local affiliates offering support groups, helplines, and education programs. Highly comparable in community-led mental health nonprofit structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DepressionsForeningen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/depressionsforeningen
• Instagraminstagram.com/depressionsforeningen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DepressionsForeningen