A new suicide prevention centre operated by 'Un pass dans l’impasse' is set to open in Brussels on January 24, 2025, enhancing support services alongside nine existing sites in Wallonia.

This centre will offer psychological support through individual and family consultations specifically for individuals contemplating suicide and their families.

To ensure financial accessibility, individual consultations will be priced at €20, partially reimbursed by health insurance, while family therapy sessions will cost €25, as explained by director Florence Ringlet.

The non-profit organization has experienced a significant 48% increase in consultations over the past four years across its nine sites in Wallonia.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a steady rise in requests for help in the Brussels region, with inquiries coming from various sectors, including health services and struggling entrepreneurs.

In response to the growing mental health crisis, the organization has concentrated efforts on supporting self-employed individuals, whose rates of depression and burnout have surged by 67% and 47%, respectively, from 2016 to 2021.

Suicide remains a critical issue in Belgium, being the leading cause of death among young people, with five suicides occurring daily.

For individuals aged 15 to 44, suicide ranks as the leading cause of death, surpassing fatalities from road accidents and cancer.

Belgium has the fourth highest suicide rate in Europe, underscoring the urgent need for mental health support services.

A recent survey indicated that 35.7% of residents in Brussels and Wallonia have experienced suicidal thoughts, with 20.6% reporting such thoughts in the past six months.

Additionally, 11.2% of survey respondents admitted to having planned suicide, with one in five of those making such plans in the last six months, as noted by director Thomas Thirion.

The new centre will be located at Solidaris Brabant, Rue du Midi 118, conveniently situated near the Grand-Place, allowing easy access for those in need.