Centre de prévention du suicide de Lanaudière

Reaching out to a population in distress

Created in the year 2000, the Centre de prévention du suicide de Lanaudière (CPSL) is an independent regional community organization with a mission to assist persons or groups grappling with problems related to suicide. Through the years, the CPSL has developed essential competencies and soft skills. Staffed with a team of professionals specializing in prevention, it makes a difference on this complex and multifaceted problem.

The CPSL benefitted from a $27,760 grant allocated by the Foundation of Greater Montréal, in the second phase of deployment of the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). With it, it was able to carry out several promotional campaigns. Those include a prevention initiative in mental health specifically targeting the Atikamekw community. We have seen that the COVID-19 pandemic triggered emotional distress within Indigenous communities. They did not always know where to turn for help during these crisis situations.

A collaborative effort

In cooperation with the Centre d’amitié autochtone de Lanaudière (CAAL) and the Centre Mihawoso (a community social pediatrics centre), CPSL produced 1,200 reusable bags. One model is for adults and another is for youth between the ages of 11 and 17. The bags are utilized to raise awareness about the 1 866 APPELLE intervention line operating in Manawan and in Lanaudière.

Just one word in the Atikamekw language was printed on each bag. “Armota”, on the bag for young people, means “to talk”.  And “Maskosinwin”, on the adults’ bag, means “the strength”. An individual who had had suicidal thoughts, and who wanted to play a role, picked those words. A CPSL business card has been inserted inside each bag. As well, each of the bags for young people contains an anti-stress keychain in the shape of a telephone handset. Conversely, each of the bags for adults includes a notepad. Both objects show reminders of the 1 866 APPELLE phone line.

By distributing these materials, the CPSL aims to help improve the mental health of Lanaudière residents, especially that of members of the Atikamekw community. The goal is also to act in a preventive fashion to help those who might otherwise consider taking their own lives.