Suicide prevention campaign to expand to 15 Metro stations - Action News
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Montreal

Suicide prevention campaign to expand to 15 Metro stations

The number of suicides in Montreals Metro system has gone down over the years, and a new poster campaign aims to reduce that number even more.

STM, Suicide Action Montreal encouraging people who need support to call 1-866-277-3553

The posters are meant for people who are considering suicide, or for those who know someone thinking about it, Suicide Action Montreal said. (Antoni Nerestant/CBC)

The number of suicides in Montreal's Metro system has gone down over the years, and a new poster campaign aims to reduce that number even more.

Montreal's transit authority has partnered with Suicide Action Montreal on the campaign.

The sombre black and white posters have been installed in Berri-UQAM station and say in French "Need help?" followed by a phone number and the words "Suicide Action Montreal."

Manager for Suicide Action Montreal's training and consulting services, Melissa Lutchman, said the help line offers people going through a hard time somewhere to turn.

"It's also there for others commuters who aren't in distress but know someone who is thinking about suicide," Lutchman said.

She said that suicide attempts in the Metro aren't going up, but hopes that the advertisements help reduce them even more.

The posters are only in Berri-UQAM station right now, but are expected to roll out in atotal of 15 stations.

Suicide Action Montreal said if someone appears to be thinking about jumping onto the track, it may not be safe to directly intervene. Communicating the situation to STM is preferable. (Radio-Canada/Luc Lavigne)

STM spokesperson Isabelle Tremblay said it will be difficult to measure if the posters prove effective.

"However, experts believe that this kind of information can help prevent unfortunate things," Tremblay said.

Lutchman said if commuters do see someone in distress, they shouldn't directly intervene.

"The best way to get this person help is to go see an STM officer, to go to the ticket booth or pick up directly those phones those red phones in the metro system," she said.