Psychosis and suicide risk
Living through psychosis brings its share of difficulties, and it can sometimes even feel insurmountable. Up to one in two young people have suicidal thoughts when they seek care for a first psychotic episode (PEP), and up to one in 10 have attempted suicide shortly before receiving help. In general, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts decrease with medical and psychosocial follow-up.
When you have suicidal thoughts, it is important to talk to your loved ones or a professional and not to face that distress alone. Getting help early and quickly, and having the support of a PEP clinic, can help ease that distress and reduce suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts.
A range of factors and events can lead to suicidal thoughts. There is no single cause. Having already had suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide, depression, and problematic alcohol and drug use can, however, contribute to experiencing suicidal thoughts for a longer period. At any time, if you have these symptoms or are thinking about suicide, it is important to talk about it promptly and get help.
If you are worried about a loved one, listen to what you feel and open a conversation.
"What you're going through is hard. Do you ever have suicidal thoughts?"
"I'm worried about you. Do you ever think about wanting to die?"
"Do you think about suicide sometimes?"
Don't keep your worries to yourself. Start the conversation, or talk to a professional.
Ainsi va la vie(tesse)
A film by Susanne Serres and Veronika Leclerc Strickland.
Based on interviews with young people with lived experience, loved ones, and professionals, this short film addresses suicidal thoughts in the context of a first psychotic episode, through Noé's journey.
Healthcare professionals can use it to spark discussion in a clinical setting.
Synopsis of the film
For the first time in her life, Noé feels as though her whole life is falling apart after a first psychotic episode. The story is set some time after that episode, when she is starting to get better. She reads us a letter she wrote to psychosis, the illness that afflicts her. Noé is afraid of losing her footing again, of going through another psychotic episode... For her, having psychosis does not stop at losing touch with reality; it is also about living with the "after."
Noé also speaks to her mother and her family, who supported her throughout her journey toward recovery. She shares the feelings and thoughts she had when she was going through times of discouragement and life seemed too hard. Through Noé's journey, see how putting strategies in place and the support of loved ones allowed her to rebuild and find hope again.
A poster that can be used as an awareness tool. For better image quality, please print the poster in 11 x 17 format.
Do you need help?
Talk to your psychiatrist or your clinician at the clinic.
There are also resources to help you 24/7 if you are having suicidal thoughts or are worried about a loved one.
- By chat on the website: www.suicide.ca
- By phone: 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553)
- By text message: 535-353
Websites
https://commentparlerdusuicide.com
https://oseparlerdusuicide.com
Apps
Testimonial
I remember feeling I was facing a dilemma: live for myself, or live so that others would be glad I was still here.
For a few months, I hung on and decided to live for others,
because if it had been up to me alone, I would not have stayed very long.
I postponed and postponed the date of my departure, out of love for my family, my girlfriend and my friends.
so as not to tarnish an important moment in their lives with what I did.
So if someone asks me what has kept me here today, I would answer: love and time.
Out of love, I bought time
and time allowed me to get better and better.
Time allowed my medication to take effect and my work in psychotherapy to help me live better with myself.
By living better with myself, I gradually started living for myself again, and not for others.
I started to have plans again and to picture myself in the future.
Although it is now behind me, that dark period of my life allows me today to be more sensitive to the light that is present all around.
So I savour more fully the big moments disguised as small everyday ones.
I approach life more awake;
I feel fulfilled.
-Chingy
Project funded by the Fonds de recherche du Québec (Dialogue program – Volet Relève étudiante) and the Fonds de soutien à la pratique académique des psychiatres of the CHUM.
