Brussels suicide prevention centre helps 300 people in first year since opening

A newly opened suicide prevention centre in Brussels has reported that almost 300 appointments were made in its first year of operations.

“During this first year, the centre made almost 300 appointments, enabling us to start psychological counselling for 78 people,” said French-speaking non-profit organisation "Un pass dans l’impasse" in a report issued to mark the first anniversary of its Brussels centre.

“Almost two-thirds of the people receiving counselling are under the age of 30. This confirms that young adults are severely affected by psychological vulnerabilities.”

The non-profit organisation helps people struggling with suicidal thoughts, Bruzz reports, as well as their loved ones and relatives.

Un pass dans l’impasse has been operating in Wallonia for a long time, where it has nine centres in the region’s major cities.

In Brussels, visitors can receive psychological help for €20 per consultation, or family therapy for €25. The assistance is provided exclusively in French.

Dutch-speakers can contact the suicide helpline on 1813, or seek help via the regular mental health care services. The French-language suicide prevention service is the only one of its kind in Brussels.

Un pass dans l’impasse issued a special appeal for support on 19 January, a date that some refer to as Blue Monday because people are said to be the least happy on this day of the year, though no evidence has been found to support this.

Un pass dans l’impasse emphasised that mental suffering is not limited to a single day.

“Behind a popular date lies a real challenge for our public health,” said therapeutic co-director Florence Ringlet of the Brussels branch.

“Suicidal thoughts are more than just the ‘blues’ or a dip in mood. They should never be trivialised.”

The organisation highlighted three signs that someone might be struggling with suicidal thoughts: verbal (such as repeated desperate statements), behavioural (irritation, withdrawal or isolation) and physical or emotional signs (severe fatigue, sleep or eating problems, pronounced fears or self-neglect).

“Blue Monday remains above all a cultural concept, but it can remind us of the importance of our mental health,” said Ringlet. “Maintaining balance is often a matter of simple actions and regularity.”

Ringlet recommends that people build routine into their day, nourish themselves with books, moments of silence and conscious breathing breaks, maintain positive social contacts and ask for support when they need it.

Anyone thinking about suicide can contact the Suicide Helpline on 1813 or via www.zelfmoord1813.be.