Emergency services have intervened three times in the past week for the same woman who threatened to jump into Montmorency Falls, near Quebec. This psychological distress is of great concern to the already overstretched aid resources preparing to deal with the post-pandemic period and a possible explosion of cases.
On February 3, the woman in question was first recovered in extremis by firefighters under the pedestrian bridge. Avoiding the worst this time, the rescuers intervened again the next day in the same place for the same person.
Again Tuesday evening, the woman returned to the falls for another call for help. On three occasions, she was transported to the Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus. Since March 2021, paramedics have responded to 14 calls about her.
If the break in the chain seems obvious, it is much less easy to find the link to repair. New sums of money have been announced, but the distribution is pending.
Under pressure
“We cannot always offer the services we would like. Do we have the resources outside the hospital environment to receive all the people who need help? On a human level, we have things to review and we have to give ourselves the means. Community environments need air, ”says Lynda Poirier, director of the Quebec Suicide Prevention Center (CPSQ).
The situation in hospitals and the laws in force mean that each case of distress is unique. Hospitalizing an individual against their will remains an exception, a decision of last resort that has repercussions.
At the CPSQ, calls have jumped by about 10% over the past two years and those who ask for help rarely need a single service.
“When it’s repetitive, it’s really an indicator that the person doesn’t have what they need. It is a priority not to leave people in distress, but if the person refuses, we cannot force them, ”adds M.me Pear tree.
More cases
For the interim director general of the Quebec Crisis Center, it is not uncommon to see a desperate person leave the hospital quickly.
“It’s not new but maybe there are more than before. Indeed, the system is overwhelmed. We have a lot of new requests”, explains Barbara Martin.
In the past, the Crisis Center could act preventively, but this is no longer possible. Applications are also more complex.
“We have always been complete. Today, the isolation means that people do not have the necessary follow-ups and the hospitals are full.
However, the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale affirms that the current situation in psychiatric emergencies in the region is fluid and that the traffic is comparable to that of previous years at the same period.
The 32and Quebec Suicide Prevention Week ended on February 5. In Quebec, the government wishes to adopt a national suicide prevention strategy.
IF YOU NEED HELP
Quebec Suicide Prevention Line • www.aqps.info • 1-866-CALL (277-3553)
Kids Help Phone • www.jeunessejecoute.ca • 1-800-668-6868
Tel-Youth • www.teljeunes.com • 1-800-263-2266 (edited)
What is the LPP?
The “Personal Protection Act” targets people whose mental state represents a danger to themselves or others.
The LPP can only be used by health professionals and only in exceptional cases. Its application is the equivalent of detention in a health facility.
The LPP can only be used when the criteria below are met at the same time:
- serious and immediate danger
- altered mental state
- refusal to receive help
Reference-www.journaldequebec.com