Moved to tears, the solidarity deputy Christine Labrie had a motion adopted to mark suicide prevention week, Thursday, at the Blue Room.
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The elected officials voted unanimously in favor of the wording which recalled “the importance of encouraging people to dare to speak about suicide despite fears or discomfort”, and which invited “all people to reach out, to break the silence and normalize the request for help”.
“There is nothing that is serious enough for suicide to be preferable, declared Christine Labrie, but that is not a reason to trivialize the suffering of these people or the suffering of anyone.”
“So take the time to let it be known… continued the deputy before being choked by a sob. Forgive me, take the time to let the people around you know that you are there to listen to them and that you are not going to judge them.
“Do it even if you think they are fine,” Ms. Labrie added, bursting into tears.
In a post on social media on Thursday afternoon, the supportive MP explained why she was so emotional during her speech.
“I cracked up this morning. I was supposed to speak as part of suicide prevention week, but it’s a sensitive subject for me. I thought of someone I care about, and I was unable to complete my speech,” she wrote.
Solidarity
After welcoming Christine Labrie’s initiative to highlight the 33rd Suicide Prevention Week, the Minister responsible for Social Services, Lionel Carmant, recalled that there are support measures for those who have dark thoughts, such as the 811 or 1 866 CALL.
Mr. Carmant also advocated for the prevention of maternal mortality. “There is a lot of talk about the baby blues, postpartum depression, but too many women take action in the first year after childbirth,” he said, before pointing out that a forum like this subject will be held on Friday.
PQ MP Joël Arseneau for his part deplored that three people on average commit suicide every day, according to data from the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec. “It affects everyone and it worries us, saddens us and often revolts us,” he said.
“I ask the government to make an extra effort in mental health, in the sense that we can always do better, do more. The needs are glaring, the means must follow”, added Mr. Arseneau.
Liberal MP Elisabeth Prass for her part reiterated that “we must all be vigilant and attentive” to avoid suicides. “No one should have to suffer in silence, even though too many people still do,” she expressed.