Suicide impacts an average of 135 people emotionally, including 6 to 14 individuals in the immediate circle, according to the Ministry of Health. Nearly 9,000 deaths occurred in France in 2023, a figure that has remained stable over the past five years, despite the prevalence of silence, fear, and even shame surrounding the issue.
“There are still enormous taboos around suicide, even though everyone can be affected at some point. It’s a multifactorial phenomenon, often triggered by an event – such as a breakup or job loss – unique to each individual’s journey and sensitivity. The act is most often prepared and premeditated. Prevention is therefore crucial, to break isolation by providing active, empathetic, and non-judgmental listening,” explains Mattea Savelli, a health care manager at the 3114 response center and VigilanS.
“At the other conclude of the line, there is suffering”
These two national services, deployed on the island since 2022 and 2023, are based at the Castelluccio Hospital in Ajaccio. “They are funded by the regional health agency and supported by the psychological community…
