Suicide Prevention Week: ‘There are still taboos,’ says Quebec suicide prevention organization chief

Talking openly about suicide is not an easy conversation, but it is the first step toward prevention, according to the president and CEO of the Quebec Association for Suicide Prevention (AQPS), who wants to break the taboos.

According to Hugo Fournier, we shouldn’t be afraid to ask someone who seems to be struggling if they are thinking about suicide.

“Even today, there are myths that say if you ask the question directly, the person will attempt suicide. But that’s not true,“ he emphasized in a phone interview. ”On the contrary, when you ask someone directly, it will elicit a frank and honest answer, it will lift the burden for someone who is suffering, and it will allow them to open up,” he added.

Fournier’s organization is launching its 36th Suicide Prevention Week this week under the theme “Reach out, support hope.”

AQPS wants to emphasize the importance of asking for help, but also of showing someone who is suffering that you are there for them.

“It may seem like a small thing, but these are big gestures that can save someone’s life,” said Fournier.

He encourages Quebecers to pay attention to warning signs, which can sometimes take the form of increased sadness, alarming comments, isolation, or changes in a person’s lifestyle.

“That doesn’t mean that a person is thinking about suicide. But what it does mean is that we should still take the time to reach out to them,” he explained.

“If all Quebecers can remember the resources available to help and recognize a few symptoms or signs that someone is not doing well, that’s already a big win,” said Fournier.

Persistent obstacles

While much work has been done in recent years to encourage discussion about suicide, “there are still taboos,” Fournier believes.

Yet many Quebecers know someone who has been affected by suicide in one way or another.

According to him, the social labels surrounding mental health are a major obstacle to prevention.

“Nearly 60 per cent of people with mental health issues are afraid of being labeled and will keep their problems to themselves,” he explained.

However, progress has been made, and more and more interventions are being carried out to help people in psychological distress.

Five years ago, the AQPS launched suicide.ca, a service that raises awareness about suicide prevention and also offers the opportunity to chat with a counselor.

According to Fournier, more than 30,000 interventions were made on suicide.ca and by text message to 535353 in 2025. There were just over 60,000 telephone interventions during the same period.

Approximately 500,000 visits were also recorded on suicide.ca in 2025.

“The mental health hotline is made up of a wide range of available resources,” said Fournier, emphasizing that support continues after the initial call.

If you need help:

Phone: 1-866-APPELLE (277-3553)

Text: 535353

Chat, information, and tools: suicide.ca

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews