Via Movember

Leah Al-Shourbaji
Contributor

It will take you five minutes to read this article. Three hundred seconds. 

Every forty seconds, someone dies by suicide. This issue is not unique to any one country or economic class. Not only does suicide affect those who take their own lives, but it also affects everyone around them. The notion that one will not be missed is prevalent among those who experience suicidal ideation, but it is false.

“One can never know what reach their presence has had and who they have affected in their time on earth.”

Since Joiner’s 2005 study Why People Die by Suicide, many other studies have found more reason to link suicide and social isolation. 

Quebec CEGEPs present a unique opportunity for students to meet large groups of people in a setting that lies in limbo between high school and university. This environment can be conducive to growth and allow students to expand their horizons in a more gradual way, but it can also lead to social isolation. Some students may find comfort in attending the same CEGEP as their high school peers, or they may struggle to find their place in an ocean of students who seem to easily find friends.

When you walk through the hallways of Dawson, how often do you hear someone say something along the lines of “I’m going to kill myself”? The phrase is very common among young people and can be used in response to any sort of stressor or uncomfortable situation.

The use of this phrase can be jarring to some and feel insensitive or triggering to those who have personal experiences with suicide. In reality, it can be a symbol of movement in the right direction. 

Its colloquialization can prove a useful tool for suicide prevention; recent studies have shown that those who use this phrase often do so in response to their own personal experiences with the subject, whether that be their own suicidal ideation or that of a loved one. Therefore, when one uses the phrase, it can be a sign for those around them to reach out. 

Furthermore, though jarring, the use of this phrase as a joke contributes to the normalization of the topic. This is important as it encourages people to be honest about their own experiences with suicide. Suicide and self-harm are often taboo, which can lead to further social isolation both for people with suicidal tendencies and those who love them.

In an ideal society, we will be able to have open conversations around mental health, which will encourage and guarantee people to feel comfortable seeking and have access to professional care. This picture of a better society starts here at Dawson with anyone reading this. 

Checking in on your friends is paramount to the achievement of this goal. The National Institute of Mental Health lists talking about being a burden to others, displaying extreme mood swings, giving away items or taking uncharacteristically dangerous risks, such as driving really fast, as examples of warning signs to look out for. It is especially important for men and boys to do so. 

For every four suicide deaths in Canada, three are men, though women attempt suicide three times more often. This can be attributed to men using more lethal means of suicide, and to ideas related to toxic masculinity. For example, the dangerous notion that a man should always “get things done” can cause one to make sure they will be successful in their attempt. A 2025 Pew Research Center study says that men turn to their social networks less often for support than women do. This means they will be unlikely to approach those close to them with an issue as serious and taboo as suicidal thoughts. Men who do speak up are often faced with emotional invalidation through comments telling them to “man up”. 

Getting your friends to be comfortable with the idea of being honest about their mental health with you doesn’t mean asking prying questions or exclusively talking about these things. It simply means making sure they know you would listen. Listening to someone’s silly story about their metro ride is as important as listening to their story about their girlfriend cheating on them, because you will likely never hear the second if you don’t hear the first. Allowing your loved ones to feel comfortable calling you when they need you is part of the village-building people so often speak about. 

These habits and relationships are important to build and maintain long past our days at Dawson. In fact, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, middle-aged men (45-64) have the highest rate of suicide. As mentioned, this issue does not affect any one group of people. Not poor people, not young people, not white people or queer people. It simply affects people.

It is better to ask an awkward question than to attend a funeral. If you’re having suicidal thoughts, don’t wait.  Speak up. If you feel uncomfortable talking to your loved ones for any reason, talk to a professional or call 988.