Introduction and mission
In the Province of Québec, suicide is the first cause of death in men between 20 to 39 years of age, and in women aged between 25 to 29 years old. As for the 10 to 19 years old age group, suicide is, the second most frequent cause of death, regardless of the gender, and ranks just after road accidents. Those ranks sadly remained the same in the last decade. We need to take action now.
Suicide is an act of suffering that concerns each and every one of us.Many individuals are seeking help in order to overcome difficulties and that is when prevention can make a difference.
Every year, the Province's suicide prevention centers answer over 100,000 telephone calls. A fourth of those calls, representing about 25,000 calls, is made in Montreal and Suicide Action Montréal assists those callers who need help. Thanks to the volunteers' generous commitment and the dedication of the centers' employees, comfort and support are offered to the individuals in need and the people who surround them. Our foundation is proud to financially support Suicide Action Montréal and its 250 active volunteers.
These interventions really seem to bear fruit. For 3 years in Québec, fewer suicides have occurred and although the number of suicidal acts and the impact they have are still too great, the results encourage us to step up our efforts.
True to a tradition of volunteering and community involvement, the Fondation SAM approaches companies and individuals in order to raise funds. The money raised is then used to support organizations that offer suicide prevention services. This is why the Fondation SAM strongly believes that with better financial means, organizations working in prevention will reduce the number of suicides in Québec.
With this mind-set, we remain confident and appeal to your generosity to support us in our mission.