Canadian Business Awards 2026 | 11 The key message of the Suicide Prevention Centre of Montreal is this: a person is never alone. Whenever they need to talk to or write to somebody, their team is here to give free and confidential support. The organisation offers a variety of services for individuals with suicidal thoughts, as well as their loved ones or those who have experienced the suicide of somebody close to them. It also delivers training and support for mental health professionals, as well as offering resources for individuals and organisations alike. Working primarily with people in distress, the first line of action that SPCM takes is are phone and text-based interventions. Whether a person is having suicidal thoughts or needs someone to talk to following the suicide of a loved one, the team is contactable by phone at 1 866 277-3553, by chat at suicide.ca, or by text at 535353. Equally as important are the second-line interventions, which see the team offer a follow-up call within the next 24 to 36 hours to people who previously called them at a high level of suicide danger, ensuring they are safe and providing continued support if necessary. The organisation provides other interventions that fall into this category of follow-up after a critical incident, and whether they are provided to communities, businesses, or people grieving suicide, the difference they make is remarkable. Rounding out this crucial suite are awareness and prevention services, including kiosks and conferences, as well as a comprehensive series of training programs. SPCM offers over nine different trainings, ranging from focused trainings to develop suicide prevention skills for health professionals, to broader mental health workshops for individuals who want to be better equipped. Additionally, they offer tailored consulting-based services to organizations that want to reinforce their suicide prevention strategies. Guided by the core values of care, listening, and protection of life, SPCM takes each person as they are without judgment, will listen to their needs and stressors, and uphold their right to life by sparking hope in moments of darkness. These values reflect its simple mandate of preventing suicide in Greater Montreal, something which would be impossible to achieve without the collaborations it has struck with a multitude of local organisations doing work in connected fields, such as homelessness, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Standing as a vital pillar in this ecosystem of support, SPCM is the only organisation of its kind in Montreal with the main focus of suicide prevention, and this is why its efforts are so important in reducing the number of people in the region impacted by suicide. As for how exactly the team here is achieving this, SPCM’s own Executive Director Sylvie Boivin told us of the three ongoing projects it currently has in development – one grounded in prevention, the second focusing on reinforcing impacted people and communities, and the third on ending the stigma surrounding suicide. Every week, four people in Montreal take their own lives. In 2024, more than 500 hospitalisations occurred because of a suicide attempt, and over 10,000 people visited emergency rooms across the city for suicidal thoughts. This is just the beginning, as research suggests that 70,000 people aged 15 and above have either thought about or attempted suicide in the last 12 months in Montreal alone. These numbers highlight that more needs to be done to support individuals across the region, and this is exactly why the Suicide Prevention Centre of Montreal (SPCM) exists. Best Mental Health Support Organisation 2026 – Quebec & Corporate Vision Suicide Prevention Excellence Award 2026 The Suicide Prevention Centre of Montreal “In addition to these ambitious projects, we are continuing all other initiatives to meet the needs of people with suicidal thoughts, their loved ones, and caregivers. Our trainings and participation in events and community activities will of course also continue and grow.” Outside of the above, SPCM is excited to have launched its first major fundraising campaign this year, marking a big step in the organisation achieving its mandate. However, more than this, it highlights the intentions of the team here to be more proactive in their local communities, something that is simply not possible without funding. By aiming to raise $4.5 million over a five-year period, an admittedly ambitious goal, the team can expand their reach and their services, doubling down on the crucial support they provide. Regardless of whether they are helping someone in distress, training counsellors on how to improve their support, or providing resources to raise awareness of suicide and shatter the taboo around the topic, the work that the Suicide Prevention Centre of Montreal does is invaluable, transformative, and necessary. Its commitment to the holistic support of those in the region has more than earned it one award in this program, and we urge people who share this passion for suicide prevention to visit SPCM’s website below. Contact: Samuel Richard-Dubé, Communications Project Manager Company: The Suicide Prevention Centre of Montreal Web Address: https://cpsmontreal.ca/
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