Since October 1, 2021, France has had a new weapon against suicide, which is responsible for 9000 deaths per year: the 3114.
This national telephone number is for people (men and women, of all ages) who are in psychological distress, from the first thoughts of death to the suicide attempt itself. Because, according to the 2017 barometer of Public Health France, “dark thoughts” are not rare: nearly 5% of the adult population declared having thought of committing suicide during the year…
At the end of the line, there is “care professionals specifically trained to carry out listening, assessment, orientation and intervention missions, within responding regional centers located in health establishments, and in connection in particular with the SAMU“says a press release from the Ministry of Health.
Dark thoughts, desire for suicide… Don’t be alone!
“The 3114 will provide an immediate response to people in psychological distress and at risk of suicide” summed up Olivier Véran, the Minister of Health.
Good to know : 3114 is a free, confidential telephone number accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from all over the national territory. Above all, you should not wait for the dark thoughts to worsen (or recur) to call for help: as the Ministry of Health reminds us, “the suicide rate in France is one of the highest in European countries, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10-25 year olds after road accidents“.
As a reminder, in case of suicidal thoughts, other resources exist: 01 45 39 40 00 is the Suicide Listen (accessible 24 hours a day), the Yarn Health Young is aimed more at 12-25 year olds (especially through an online chat) and the association SOS Suicide Phoenix provides support to suicidal people and their loved ones (by phone and chat).
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