In the early morning hours of December 4th last year, an 18-year-old young man, who was grappling with mental health issues, leaped in front of a Metro train at Villa-Maria station. Prior to this tragic incident, the young man had visited a health center after expressing suicidal thoughts to his friends. He later explained that he had made those remarks impulsively following disagreements with loved ones and a breakup.
After the evaluation, the 18-year-old was meant to stay with a close acquaintance. Unfortunately, he was alone on the Metro platform around 1 a.m. when he dashed towards the incoming train. Despite the operator’s efforts, the collision couldn’t be avoided in time.
Several farewell letters addressed to his loved ones were discovered in his room posthumously. This case is one of four reports recently released by the Quebec coroner’s office, shedding light on suicides in the Montreal Metro in 2024 and offering joint recommendations to the city’s transit authority to prevent such incidents.
According to Julie-Kim Godin, one of the four coroners involved in the investigations, the number of suicides in the Metro was deemed “worrisome.” Between 2015 and 2023, there were a total of 92 suicides in the Montreal Metro system, averaging around 10 per year.
While annual suicide attempts ranged from 14 to 18 between 2020 and 2023, there was a surge to 25 attempts in 2024. The STM reported these figures but couldn’t confirm if any of the attempts resulted in fatalities.
Godin stressed the need for enhanced strategies to prevent suicide in the Metro. The coroners recommended expediting the study on installing platform screen doors, similar to those on the province’s new light-rail system, the Réseau express métropolitain (REM), which is currently scheduled for completion in 2033.
The coroners highlighted that restricting access to the tracks is a highly effective method to deter suicides in the Metro. They also noted that individuals in distress may not seek alternative methods if the initial means are inaccessible.
Additional recommendations included deploying safety ambassadors in all stations at all operational hours, increasing platform staff to identify distressed individuals, and enhancing staff training.
The STM expressed its commitment to analyzing the coroners’ suggestions, emphasizing the existing suicide prevention measures. These measures include a detection system to monitor platform activity and trained station staff in suicide prevention techniques.
Despite the effectiveness of platform screen doors in improving Metro safety, their installation might be delayed due to funding constraints. The STM acknowledged the financial challenges and urged to consider the doors as an investment in public safety.
Ella Amir, the executive director of AMI-Quebec, emphasized the importance of early suicide prevention measures rather than solely relying on technology and precautions in the Metro. She stressed the need to enhance service availability and accessibility and encourage individuals to seek help proactively.
A project utilizing artificial intelligence to detect potential suicide attempts in the Metro is underway, with plans for testing the technology in select stations soon. The aim is to implement it across the Metro network within the next one to two years.
Amid the push for technological advancements, Amir highlighted the significance of community support and early intervention in preventing suicides. She encouraged fostering a community that is attentive to warning signs and proactive in offering help to those in distress.
