Help is available
Courtesy Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated
New signs on the Mercier Bridge to urge individuals in distress to seek help are part of a larger initiative for bridges in the area.
The signs, installed in April, are there to let people know about the Suicide Crisis Helpline, which can be reached anywhere in Canada in French or English simply by calling or texting 9-8-8.
On the Mercier, the signs are not only in English and French, but also Kanien’kéha, a request made by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) when Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) approached Council about installing the placards on the federal side of the bridge.
“I said this is Kahnawake, how about putting our language on there? They agreed to that. This is our land. It’s respect for the community to have this in our language,” said Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) chief Arnold Boyer, who leads the infrastructure, transport, and operations portfolio.
“They had no problem with that. We got it translated and they put it on.”
The variations on the message include: “There is hope. We’re here to help you.” (Ká:ien’ ne kahrharáhtshera’. Enkwarì:wawa’se’.); “Need help? We’re here to listen.” (Íhsehre ken aiesaié:nawa’se’? Eniakwatahónhsatate’.); “Going through a hard time? We’re here to help you.” (Sa’nikonhro’ktá:’on ken? Enkwaié:nawa’se’.); and “Feeling distressed? Talk to us.” (Tisa’nikónhrhare’ ken? Tetewahthá:ren.)
“There’s always somebody there 24/7 to listen to somebody in distress,” said Boyer, casting it as part of a broader effort to raise awareness about mental health and ensure folks who are struggling can be connected with the help they need.
“The message is out there. Somebody’s there to listen to you and talk with you,” he said.
The Jacques Cartier Bridge and the Champlain Bridge have also received the suicide prevention signs.
“It’s a concern on bigger bridges,” said JCCBI spokesperson Nathalie Lessard. “We want to make sure that we do everything we can to improve the safety or security of all of our users. Signage like that is up on bridges all over the world. It’s not something that’s prevalent in Quebec. Although we seem to be innovating, we’re not actually.”
She noted that although JCCBI doesn’t manage the Champlain Bridge, the corporation was happy to be able to work with that operator to ensure the messaging around the service is the same across area bridges, and other bridge owners are also invited to reach out, Lessard added.
In this province, the hotline is operated by the Quebec Suicide Prevention Association in partnership with the government, with the three-digit federal number redirecting to those services.
Sign up for email updates from The Eastern Door
In addition to the hotline, which is reachable by phone or text at 988, the signs also direct people in crisis to the online resource www.suicide.ca.
Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
