– I spoke to him just before we went to bed. But that same night he walked straight past our bedroom and took his own life, says mother Tone Therese Haugen. On the wall at home in the living room hangs a picture of the son who never turned more than 17 years old. Taken just weeks before he died. Under the picture hangs a duck – for the swimming he loved and a rainbow – for his colorful soul, says mother. According to his mother, Elias was a colorful type, who always took care of others. He received an award for this in the swimming group just weeks before he died. Photo: Private – If I can help anyone. A single person who is having a really hard time finding hope. That is my goal, says Haugen. After Elias’ death, it became important for Haugen to do something. Contribute to a change. That no more people had to go through the same thing as their family. Tone Therese Haugen says that Elias got rid of the bad thoughts when he swam. Photo: Private – Need to talk about how we are Today, Haugen is a leader in the organization Leve Hedmark, where she puts in many hours every year as a peer and speaker. In 2023, 693 people took their own lives in Norway. This is an increase of 70 people from the previous year. Only in 1988 was a higher number of suicides recorded. Read also: At home in Haugen’s living room in Brumunddal there are 58 cube lights. They will all be lit when World Suicide Prevention Day is marked on Tuesday. Haugen has already spent many hours planning the events. The goal is for more people to open up – and for more people to dare to ask. Under the theme “start the conversation”, Leve og Haugen organizes a concert and several events, including at CC in Hamar on this day. – We have to talk about how we feel. There was nothing to suggest that Elias had any challenges. It came like lightning from the blue, says Haugen. Tone Therese Haugen shows off the 58 candles that will burn for the 58 who took their own lives last year. Photo: Stein S Eide / news No warning She says that her son was a creative type, fond of mathematics and a keen swimmer. Elias also studied computer electronics at Hamar Cathedral School. In a picture Haugen shows news, Elias, dressed in a colorful sweater, holds an award the coach in the swimming club has given him for being a cheerleader on the team. According to Haugen, swimming was a haven for his son. – When I swim, I don’t think about anything, she says he said. Since there were so few signs, Haugen does not think there was much they could have done differently. Do you need someone to talk to? NOTE: If it says about life and health, call 113! Helpline for Mental Health: 116 123 (from abroad: +47 911 16 123) 24-hour chat service and writing service: sidetmedord.no Mental Health Youth Help Chat is for youth and young adults, aged 18-35. Open every day of the week from 18 to 21. Alarm phone for children and young people: An emergency number for children and young people: 116 111 Red Cross’ Cross on the neck: A chat for everyone under 18 – open daily 14-22 Cross on the neck telephone: 800 33 321 (Mon-Fri 14-22) Church SOS, phone 22 40 00 40 (24/7) Church SOS, anonymous chat: soschat.no (daily 18.30-22.30 – Fri to 01.30) You can find several different helplines and chats at psyksikhelse.no Source: The Council for Mental Health Due to the corona pandemic, the pool was closed and Elias did not get the many hours of “meditation” he might have needed. – I think he had a train of thought that he couldn’t get out of. I later understood that he saw the world as a difficult place to grow up in, says Haugen. Elias died on 17 January 2021. Elias was fond of maths, good at Rubik’s cube and used his head a lot. Photo: Privat Hope for more transparency For Haugen, transparency subsequently became important. She believes that many people could have been saved if they talked more about the pain. – No one is happy all the time. Everyone will face both ups and downs. That’s what it’s like to be human. You have to participate in both parts to enjoy the good as well. – This is a major social problem about which shame and guilt must be removed and transparency built up around this. That is the only way we can work with it, Haugen follows up. She hopes people dare to open up and talk about their challenges. And get support from professionals: Read also: – Can save lives – Talking about suicidal thoughts can save lives. Suicide has major repercussions for many and must be seen as a social problem, says Synøve Magnussen Wiig. She is a psychological specialist and special adviser at RVTS Øst. She believes that it doesn’t always take much to turn around a personal crisis. Synøve Magnussen Wiig, special adviser and psychologist specialist in RVTS Øst. Photo: RVTS She also believes that suicide must be put on the agenda to a greater extent, both politically and privately. – Asking if someone has suicidal thoughts does not initiate suicidal behaviour. We are very concerned that if you are worried about a neighbour, friend or colleague, that you ask questions about whether they have these thoughts, says Wiig. According to Wiig, prevention is about several things. She emphasizes reducing the number of bullies, preventing alienation and that people are more open with and are there for each other. Wiig says suicide prevention must take place on several levels. Both at authority level and among the man and woman in the street. – Think how many fire drills there are during the year. How often does it burn then? How about having some crisis exercises instead, that way people will get more used to talking about what is tough, she says. Published 09/09/2024, at 16.43 Updated 09/09/2024, at 21.01
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When Elias (17) took his own life, it became important to Tone that no one else would experience the same thing – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
