[Preventing suicidal crisis and suicide]

La dépression de la personne âgée

The aging of the population increases the rate of depressive morbidity. It constitutes a major public health problem. In France, in 2018, people aged 65 or older represented 19.6% of the population. By 2040, they will represent about 25%. According to the World Health Organization, worldwide, among adults aged 60 and over, 15% suffer from a mental health disorder. 6.6% of disabilities are attributed to psychological or neurological disorders, the most common being dementia and depression (7%). A good knowledge of the depressive syndrome of the elderly is and will be essential for health professionals.

[Supporting the adaptation to the announcement of a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (2/2)]

The emotional reactions that arise when a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is made are repeated at each stage of the pathology. They confront the person with a reality they thought they had mastered. Fighting with the disease means continuing to live one's personal, family, love and professional life. It is a matter of positive thinking by becoming aware of one's limits and finding the right balance between one's desires and one's capacities. The relationship of trust developed with the various professionals who will accompany the patient throughout his or her treatment is essential.

[Suicides with suicide pacts]

In the vast majority of cases, people who commit suicide do so alone. Exceptionally, suicides can be carried out by mutual agreement between two or more people. These are called suicide pacts. The motivations and operating methods of these rare acts are multiple.

[Clinic of suicidal crisis]

Nearly 5% of the general population experiences a suicidal crisis every year in France. It is essential for any caregiver to learn to recognize it and intervene appropriately. This crisis most often occurs in a context of stress combined with individual vulnerability factors that causes the individual to lose their balance. The clinical presentation for suicidal crisis vary from one subject to another. It is usually fluctuating and temporary. The subject does not want to die; he wants to stop suffering. The suicidal act is the dreaded but not systematic outcome of the suicidal crisis. Here we will set out the general principles of the assessment of the suicidal crisis.

[Management of suicidal crises and suicidal individuals]

Knowing how to assess the suicidal risk of people in crisis, knowing how to orient them, welcome them, treat them and look after them are the keys to these multidisciplinary health care.