1 866 APPELLE: 24/7 help line for suicide prevention
Quebec has established a 24/7 suicide prevention helpline, 1-866-277-3553, to support its residents. Trained and skilled responders are available at any time to answer calls.
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What is the 1 866 APPELLE helpline?
The 1 866 APPELLE (277-3553) help line is a free and confidential suicide prevention service offered throughout Quebec. To be able to provide continuous psychological support, this service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This government help line has been operating for more than 20 years.
When you call, you will be automatically transferred to a local resource, usually a suicide prevention center. You will then be able to speak to a qualified responder who is ready to offer you support. Outside of the province of Quebec, in Canada and the United States, it is also possible to access this line by dialing 9-8-8.
Who can call the Quebec suicide prevention help line?
The Quebec suicide prevention help line is intended for all those who live in Quebec, regardless of their age or gender. It is possible to call for different reasons:
You are having suicidal thoughts;
You are worried about someone you know and you would like to receive help or advice;
It is completely normal not to be sure when the best time to use suicide prevention services is. Asking yourself whether you could contact the line can already indicate that it is the right time to call.
Additionally, certain warning signs related to suicide could help determine whether it is time to speak with a responder at 1-866-277-3553. When in doubt, it is better to inform yourself and call, to help you manage the situation.
Why call this help line?
Whether it’s for you or for someone you know, speaking to a qualified responder can allow you to feel heard, validated, and understood.
The suicide prevention help line can offer you help in restoring balance in your life. It is also an opportunity to receive advice that is tailored to your situation. It’s important to note that there are other options than calling 1 866-APPELLE to speak with a responder.
Psychological help online and by text
In addition to the 1 866-APPELLE line, other free psychological services exist in suicide prevention. Specifically, the suicide.ca online intervention site and text services at 535353.
These services are intended for those considering suicide, those concerned for someone they know, and those bereaved by suicide.
Many other tools and articles are available online on suicide.ca to support you in whatever you may need.
This section provides practical tools and information to help any person considering suicide feel better and regain some control in their lives. Here is what you will find here:
Information on difficult situations that can be related to suicidal thoughts (anxiety, self-harm, breakups, panic attacks, etc.)
Self-care tips
Self-directed mental health check-up
Tools to help manage your situation
Helpful tips on how to talk about suicidal thoughts with a loved one
The safety plan is a personalized tool that supports people in suicidal crisis. It can be filled in with the help of someone you know, a healthcare professional, or alone.
You will find the interactive safety plan online at mytools.ca. On this page, you will find a presentation of the different steps in the plan and information relevant to filling it out.
You can find local resources according to what is troubling you. For example:
Legal issue;
Break-up;
Addiction issues;
Mental health problems (borderline personality disorder, anxiety, etc.);
Social rehabilitation;
Loss of autonomy, etc.
In this directory, it is also possible to select which groups you identify with. This can be related to many categories like gender identity (2SLGBTQIA+, women, and men), age (youth, seniors), or any other kind of group you belong to (peer support members, farmers, first responders, etc.).
The section for those who are concerned for someone they know includes different information for those wanting to support someone in distress. You will find:
Warning signs;
Tips for talking about suicide;
The right resources to contact;
How to help someone you know;
Information on how to take care of yourself and respect your boundaries.
This page contains articles on suicide and mental health. Here are some reasons to read these articles:
To find information on suicide;
Demystify taboos surrounding suicide;
Listen to testimonials of people whose lives have been touched by suicide in different ways;
Find out more about the latest news related to suicide.
If you are bereaved by suicide, this section includes information on the complexity of emotions that can be experienced. Il also contains advice for how to talk about your grief with members of your support network, how to recognize when to see a mental health professional, and how to support a child who has lost someone to suicide.