Is suicide cowardly or courageous? Selfish or altruistic? Is it a personal choice? We are not in a philosophy degree, but in student Sentinels training. Developed by Nightline France and the Suicide Study and Prevention Group, with the support of the Ile-de-France regional health agency, this new system trains students to identify and direct their peers in distress. “These questions are here to get you to think about the preconceptions that may prevent someone from calling for help, or cause you to be judgmental. You have to know how to put them aside to be operational”says Caroline Olivier, in charge of a session organized in mid-February on the premises of PSL University, in the heart of Paris.
The clinical psychologist addresses six young people – the training is always provided in small groups – aged 20 to 27, enrolled in fashion school as well as a history or mathematics degree. Jérémie Hubert, 27, is a business school student. This Saturday, March 9, he recounts having been the victim of harassment three years ago, then having lost his father: “I am the only one, within the family and over three generations, to have completed higher education. So I didn’t dare talk about my discomfort with my loved ones, because they would have suggested that I stop studying. If I had been accompanied by peers, it would have been easier. »
During the nine hours of training, after an introductory module on mental health, the young people are confronted with scenarios and the group will learn to identify and approach people in suffering to direct them to the appropriate resources. Starting with 3114, the national suicide prevention number. “If you’re worried about someone, it’s better to ask them frankly if they’ve ever thought about suicide than to paraphrase it by talking about dark thoughts or escaping reality. Asking the question does not lead to taking action, and shows that we have the shoulders to accept the suffering of others”recommends Caroline Olivier.
“Less preconceived ideas”
The clinical psychologist confirms freeing young people to speak out about mental health: “They have fewer preconceived ideas, they dare to talk about suicide. They want to seize this subject. » A quick look at social networks confirms the trend. “Hello anxiety”, “Pay your psychophobia”, “Dose of shrink”, “Temporary follies”… Accounts dedicated to psychological disorders, with tens of thousands of subscribers, are multiplying.
You have 74.5% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.