A relative is not well at all and we really fear for his life. A suicide prevention specialist gives us her best advice.
For some time now, our brother has had no morale at all. His suspicious mood and his disturbing words make us fear for his life. How do broach the subject with him? As the 13th World Suicide Prevention Day approaches, on September 10, Lucie Pelchat, training advisor for the Quebec Association for Suicide Prevention (AQPS), offers some advice on this delicate issue.
Use real words
“Are you thinking about suicide?” is a weighty question that can scare anyone asking it. “In this context, we must not be afraid of words”, mentions Lucie Pelchat straight away. “It may seem difficult to raise the subject so directly because we do not want the person to consider this possibility. However, if this is the case, mentioning the issue openly will rather have a saving effect in the majority of cases.”
Are we afraid of making a mistake? “Normal”, reassures the adviser. However, “there are few gestures or words that would make the situation worse. The most important thing is to be there, to be yourself, and to listen to others,” she adds.
To confess
Fearing for the life of a loved one who is contemplating suicide is emotionally demanding. “You have to avoid keeping these confidences to yourself and know how to establish your limits. We, therefore, do not hesitate to confide discreetly in a loved one in whom we trust and to seek help from adequate resources, even if the person who confided in us has asked us to remain silent about the situation,” suggests Lucie Pelchat.
Don’t know where to turn? The toll-free line 1 866 APPELLE, accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, allows you to speak with an advisor in complete confidentiality. This will allow us to take stock of the situation and direct us to the suicide prevention resources in our region.
Other help resources
The CSS and hospitals in our region, in collaboration with their local service network, offer suicide prevention services. The following link makes the census: www.sante.gouv.qc.ca/systeme-sante-en-bref/csss/
Suicide prevention centers offer many services to people in distress, their loved ones, and the bereaved. To identify the resources in our region, consult the list offered on the AQPS website: http://aqps.info/besoin-aide-urgente/#liste-cpsregionaux
