This is an alarming observation: suicide is the leading cause of mortality between 15 and 44 years old. From the Covid pandemic, the number of calls for young people at the suicide prevention center has increased by 15%. Explanations.
It has been almost five years since Sarah, Sophie’s daughter, committed suicide. She was only 25 years old. The help she had at the time unfortunately was not enough. “”With saws, of course, we do not rewrite history. But I think it could have helped us and help him if Sarah had called the center … maybe“, Testifies his mother.
Five years later, the memory is still very painful. But day after day, Sophie and her family rebuild: “We have really found a different listening from what we can have with psychiatrists or psychologists who are not necessarily specialized or mourning and even less in mourning after suicide“.
The suicide prevention center is anonymous volunteers who answer the phone. Psychologists specializing in helping people in distress, and the observation is worrying: since 2020, calls made by young people, sometimes 10 -year -old children, has increased by 15%.
“We especially noticed it after the Covid crisis, because people were really alone. Either because they had difficulty readjusting in society“Explains Tsolaire, Meguerditchian, psychologist at the prevention center.”We also notice during stress periods, exams or the holiday period. Before or just at the end of the holiday periods, it is also a difficulty to readjust yourself to a new environment“.
Sometimes the listening we need is not the one we receive
The prevention center is therefore also consultations for bereaved families. Scott, Clémence’s brother, committed suicide three and a half years ago. That day, the world of Clémence collapsed: “It was my person I preferred to this planet“She too was able to count on listening to the psychologists of the center and relying on the benevolence she was able to find in speech groups.
“Me, in my mourning, I needed a moment to be able to be with people who could understand what I was going through“Remember Clémence. “So, I ended up calling the center saying that I needed to be in a speech group, but with a minimum of brothers or sisters who live the same thing as me, because I can be very well surrounded by my loved ones … But there is sometimes a lack of listening. When I say a lack of listening, it is not that people do not want to listen.“.
A question of public health
Suicide is sometimes considered to be something taboo. However, one in four deaths among young people is a suicide. “”It’s huge. And we know that at European level, we are part of the top 5 with a sad record. So, I think it’s a real question of mental health and public health“, Arises Dominique Nothomb, director of the suicide prevention center.
“So my message today is two things. The first is do not hesitate to contact us. But also, I speak to politicians, please support us. We will continue to help the population even more“She concluded.
The suicide prevention center is accessible 24 hours a day, via its website and its free telephone number 0800/32.123.
Suicide help supports prevention
