Myths

When we think that a person has shown cowardice or courage in taking his own life, it is because we think that the person has made the rational choice to kill himself. However, a person does not commit suicide by choice, but rather because he feels that he has no other options to face his difficulties and that he has lost hope that his situation will change. or improves.

With help, however, it is possible that these people will regain hope. Calling on support services allows, among other things, a person who is living in distress to talk about their concerns to someone who does not experience the impacts, to take a step back from their situation, to reconnect with them. his strengths and his reasons for living and finding helpful strategies.

Thoughts of suicide can affect anyone, whether or not you have a mental health disorder. That said, mental health problems are among the risk factors for suicide . In other words, a person with a mental health disorder is more likely to have suicidal thoughts. Moreover, according to the World Health Organization, in high-income countries, nearly 90% of people who commit suicide have mental disorders (eg. Depression , addiction to alcohol or drugs , disorder borderline personality , etc.), but beware:

·     Suicide is a complex problem and, generally, several factors combined will cause a person to develop suicidal thoughts or to commit suicide.

·     It should also be kept in mind that most people with mental health problems do not develop suicidal behavior.

Without necessarily being a trained professional and while respecting their limits , we can help a suicidal person and make a difference for them. Knowing how to recognize the signs , open a dialogue , listen to the person without judgment or even refer them to help resources are all things that we can do to support them.

At the same time, if you have concerns about someone, it is important not to be left alone with the situation and to seek professional help. Depending on the situation, there are different resources to which we can refer (we can also find on the page " Helping a loved one in difficulty»A tool that can help find the most appropriate service depending on the situation). You can also, at any time , contact a specialist to talk about your concerns.

You should know that a person who has thoughts of suicide may have difficulty believing that they can be helped and that their situation can change. This is part of the dynamics of suicide and is what makes it so that the person does not necessarily have the reflex to ask for help for themselves. Being proactive and helping these people is therefore essential to break their isolation. Just the fact of accompanying a person in their steps, which can be seen as an obstacle, can make a big difference.

Moreover, no study indicates that interventions with people who themselves have requested help are more effective than those with people who have been offered help. It can therefore be useful to know how to help a loved one in difficulty and how to promote recovery .

If a person who is having suicidal thoughts suddenly seems in a good mood, that doesn't mean they are necessarily better and no longer need help. This can sometimes indicate a danger; some suicides actually occur as a result of sudden improvement. The person may, for example, be in a better mood to reassure those around them or, if they are planning to take action, they may feel a form of relief, feeling that their suffering is drawing to an end. This is why we must remain vigilant. It is then advisable to question the person on the reasons which explain these changes in his behavior.