Young people in society

Provided by the Professional Order of Social Workers of Québec (Ordre professionnel des travailleurs sociaux du Québec), these articles are intended to help you deal with everyday life. They could also help you help a friend!

Come back to read it!

It's never too late to intervene

by Gwendal Émond, social worker
Centre de prévention du suicide de Québec

Did you know that every year nearly 1,400 people commit suicide in Québec? And that slightly over 20% of the people who commit suicide are less than 30 years old? The number of people who contemplate suicide or unsuccessfully attempt suicide is even higher.

Statistics aside, how can the fact that someone is contemplating suicide be explained?
People rarely commit suicide for a single reason. Rather, suicide is usually brought about by an accumulation of troubles. Suicide is neither a courageous nor a cowardly gesture; it's a gesture of despair. The person's suffering is so great that he or she contemplates suicide as a means of putting an end to his or her pain. Suicide doesn't come from a desire to die, but from a desire to stop suffering. It's NEVER TOO LATE TO INTERVENE, even if the person who's suffering seems convinced of the contrary. Suicide may be irreversible, but the suicidal process is not.

What can you do if you have suicidal thoughts?
Above all, don't stay alone! Ask people close to you or a professional for help. They can provide support, ideas for solutions and help in achieving them. If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, other people can help you find it again.

What can you do if someone close to you is contemplating suicide?
Offer your support and help. Voice your concern and ask the person if he or she is thinking about suicide. Talking about suicide will not encourage the person to do commit suicide. Quite the contrary! The person will only finally feel someone understands his or her pain, and your doubts will be dispelled. Encourage the person to ask a health care professional for help and stay with him or her as they do it. Not everyone may feel comfortable intervening in this way. Don't go at it alone - ask friends or other people close to you for help. Team up to help the person you care about.

If you're contemplating suicide or someone close to you is considering it, or if you simply want more information, contact us.

• The Centre de prévention du suicide de Québec, 418-683-4588. We're open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are other resources too:

• 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553). This provincial line will put you in touch with the Centre de prévention du suicide nearest to you. These organizations can help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Other resources: your family doctor, CLSCs, community organizations, hospitals, employee assistance programs, school authorities, etc.

Please visit our Web site and give us your comments.