Claude Lemieux, a former NHL star celebrated for his toughness and hockey skills, died by suicide in Lake Park Thursday morning.Investigators with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said Lemieux’s family became concerned when he did not return home and went to check on him at his furniture store, Andros Home.They said that’s where Lemieux’s son found his father.Lemieux played for multiple teams over decades, from the 1980s to the early 2000s, and was honored in Montreal on Monday night as the torchbearer for the Canadiens before their playoff game.”That’s the problem. You don’t know what anybody else is going through,” said Ezsa Allen, a mental health therapist in Palm Beach County.Allen treats many patients who have considered harming themselves.She said it’s common to not understand why someone would choose to take their own life.”That’s why when a lot of people when they do commit suicide, people are like, ‘Oh, my God, I never knew,'” Allen said. “Because they’re dealing with so much pain inside and not being able to express that emotion.”Allen said while some individuals may show signs of trouble, such as withdrawal or depression, many others do not.She encourages her patients to have one specific contact they can reach out to if they are experiencing suicidal thoughts.She encourages others to just be a friend.”Always just check in for support, not condemning them, not telling them what they’re doing wrong, not trying to overload them but just being there as a support system,” Allen said. “Sometimes, people just need to talk and get it out.” If you or someone you know needs help, you can talk with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or sending a text message to 988, or you can chat online here. Stay up to date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. —
Claude Lemieux, a former NHL star celebrated for his toughness and hockey skills, died by suicide in Lake Park Thursday morning.
Investigators with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said Lemieux’s family became concerned when he did not return home and went to check on him at his furniture store, Andros Home.
They said that’s where Lemieux’s son found his father.
Lemieux played for multiple teams over decades, from the 1980s to the early 2000s, and was honored in Montreal on Monday night as the torchbearer for the Canadiens before their playoff game.
“That’s the problem. You don’t know what anybody else is going through,” said Ezsa Allen, a mental health therapist in Palm Beach County.
Allen treats many patients who have considered harming themselves.
She said it’s common to not understand why someone would choose to take their own life.
“That’s why when a lot of people when they do commit suicide, people are like, ‘Oh, my God, I never knew,'” Allen said. “Because they’re dealing with so much pain inside and not being able to express that emotion.”
Allen said while some individuals may show signs of trouble, such as withdrawal or depression, many others do not.
She encourages her patients to have one specific contact they can reach out to if they are experiencing suicidal thoughts.
She encourages others to just be a friend.
“Always just check in for support, not condemning them, not telling them what they’re doing wrong, not trying to overload them but just being there as a support system,” Allen said. “Sometimes, people just need to talk and get it out.”
If you or someone you know needs help, you can talk with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or sending a text message to 988, or you can chat online here.
Stay up to date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.