‘Are you thinking about suicide?’: The question must be asked directly, says AQPS

If you are thinking about suicide or are worried about someone, help is available 24/7 at 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553), by text at 535353, or by chat at suicide.ca.

Quebec’s suicide rate has steadily declined since the early 2000s, but an average of three people still die by suicide each day. On World Suicide Prevention Day, the Quebec Association for Suicide Prevention (AQPS) is trying to dispel a persistent myth: that talking about suicide can make things worse.

This year’s global theme is “changing the conversation.” For the AQPS, that means challenging long-held beliefs in order to shed light on the realities surrounding suicide.

One of the most widespread myths is that directly asking someone, “Are you thinking about suicide?” might push them toward it.

“That myth has been around a long time and still exists today,” said AQPS president and CEO Hugo Fournier. “But the reality is the opposite. Asking the question, or talking about suicide with someone you think may be struggling, won’t encourage them to act. It actually opens the door for them to express their suffering.”

Fournier said asking the question clearly can often bring relief to someone in distress.

“It removes the taboo,” he said. “If today in Quebec we can remember that we need to talk about suicide directly and not be afraid to ask the question, that’s a significant achievement.”

Fournier pointed to support resources such as the podcast “Ça va-tu,” hosted by comedian Jonathan Roberge, an AQPS ambassador. The podcast features celebrities who share personal stories of distress and recovery.

“In suicide prevention, we repeat the prevention messages, but what really resonates with people is, does it work?” Fournier said. “In this podcast, there are testimonies that yes, it works, that yes, hope returns.”

Chat and text services have also expanded rapidly. When the AQPS launched a virtual chat and text service in 2020, there were 275 interventions. By last year, that number had climbed to more than 25,000.

The chat platform, available at suicide.ca, is operated with prevention centres in Montreal, Sorel and Quebec City. Fournier said it creates an accessible, front-line option for people who may not want to call.

A Léger survey commissioned by the AQPS in March 2025 found that one in two Quebec adults has been directly affected by suicidal thoughts, worry for a loved one, or the loss of someone to suicide.

Certain groups also remain overrepresented in suicide deaths, particularly men and people aged 50 to 65. Men die by suicide three times more often than women, something Fournier said is linked to traditional masculine norms that discourage asking for help.

“We need to continue to emphasize examples of strength and courage, but in a context that recognizes the power of asking for help,” he said. “A courageous and strong person is someone who can sense when a friend isn’t doing well and reaches out. We need to counter those myths and false beliefs.”

–Health coverage by The Canadian Press is supported through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for this content.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews