Key Insights

According to Global News, an average of 15 suicide attempts occur each year in the Montreal Metro. However, only one-third of those who made suicide attempts succumbed to their incidents, as per CBC A past study from the National Library of Medicine revealed that of the 129 metro suicides between 1986 and 1996, 81% of the victims had previously expressed suicidal thoughts.  According to the Suicide Prevention Center of Montreal (SPCM), Montreal reports an average of 4 suicides per week, with most suicide attempts taking place in the metro. An annual average of 43 railway suicides in Canada took place in densely populated areas, according to the Center for Research and Intervention of Suicide, Ethical Issues, and End-of-Life Practices at UQAM. Additionally, the majority of the victims are middle-aged men with a history of mental conditions.  As per CBC, the Société de Transport de Montréal (STM) is exploring AI use in detecting distress signals among passengers with CCTV footage.

Suicide is a major concern in Canada on a national scale. In fact, the Government of Canada reports that 4,500 individuals die by suicide each year. This translates to an average of 12 lives lost per day.

One of the most concerning aspects of suicide in Canada is the stark gender disparity. Suicide rates are nearly 3 times higher among men than women.

Youth and young adults are particularly vulnerable too, as suicide is the second-leading cause of death for individuals aged 15 to 34. 

According to the Suicide Prevention Center of Montreal (SPCM), there is an average of 4 suicides per week in Montreal. In comparison, there is an average of 3 suicides per day in the whole of Quebec.

The SPCM also states that most suicide attempts take place in the subways. However, most of them don’t result in death – only in life-long hospitalizations that involve severe physical and cognitive disabilities.

Suicide Statistical Trends in Montreal Metro  

In the Montreal metro, an average of 15 suicide attempts occur each year according to Global News. However, only about one-third who attempt suicide by jumping onto the tracks die due to their injuries, according to CBC.

Suicidal tendencies are often seen in patterns of distressed behaviors among people who visit the Montreal Metro. In fact, a 2016 study by the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) discovered 60 suicide attempts over 2 years by reviewing 35 metro stations. 

In a past study of 129 suicides from 1986 to 1996, it’s clear that there are deeper psychological issues in those who have attempted.

The study, as reported by the National Library of Medicine, found that 81% of those who died by suicide in the metro had previously expressed suicidal thoughts.

66% of those have already attempted suicide before and another 9% had attempted suicide in the metro before their fatal incident. 

Mental health issues can be seen as a significant factor in these numbers. The study found that 105 of the victims had suffered from serious mental conditions, including depression.

Over a quarter of those were even residing in a mental health facility at the time of their death. 

Comparison of Railway Suicides in North America

2018 data from the Center for Research and Intervention of Suicide, Ethical Issues and End-of-Life Practices at UQAM revealed pertinent data regarding railway suicide in North America.

In Canada, an average of 43 deaths occurred annually, with the majority taking place on open traces in densely populated areas. Most victims are middle-aged men and a significant portion experienced mental health conditions such as depression or bipolar disorder. 

In the United States, 3.9% of the total railway studies took place in Illinois, while across the country, 274 railway suicides were recorded. It’s also worth noting that there is a higher proportion of cases among young people aged 15 to 24. 

Factors Contributing to Suicide Rates in Montreal Metro

Suicide is a complex issue, with various factors contributing to fatal incidents, regardless of whether they took place in the Montreal metro or through other methods.

According to the Government of Canada, suicide is a result of a combination of personal, social, and cultural factors.

In particular, suicide cases often involve a history of prior suicide attempts, mental illnesses, and a deep sense of hopelessness or helplessness, 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals suffering from substance abuse, chronic physical pain, or past trauma (violence, victimization, or childhood abuse) may also be at higher risk of suicide.

A 2022 study further highlights that economic challenges can also contribute to suicide risk. This includes job loss, financial strain, and a loss of housing in midlife. 

Behaviors Related to Suicide in Canada

In Canada, suicidal thoughts are more common than many realize. According to the Government of Canada, 12% of individuals reported having experienced suicidal thoughts at some point in their lifetime.

Beyond thoughts of suicide, data also shows that 4.2% of people have planned a suicide attempt at some point in their life.

While fewer individuals act on their plans, attempts of suicide are still a pressing concern, with about 3.1% of people attempting suicide in their lifetime. 

Prevention Methods By the Société de transport de Montréal (STM)

The STM is actively exploring new strategies to address suicide rates in the Montreal metro. One of the most recent initiatives is a pilot project using artificial intelligence (AI) to detect distress signals from passengers.

As reported by CBC, this initiative has been developed in collaboration with the Center for Suicide Prevention (CRISE). It’s designed to analyze CCTV footage in metro stations, eliminating constant human monitoring, which is considered impractical.

Once the AI detects a person in distress, STM operators can be alerted immediately. Train operators may also receive a warning to slow down or stop in time to prevent the incident.

STM has also implemented training sessions to help employees recognize signs of distress. According to CTV News, STM employees intervened in 2,010 suicide prevention cases.

The agency has also placed crisis support posters near platform edges. 

Gaps in Railway Suicide Prevention in Montreal

While the AI initiative shows a lot of promise, it’s still in its early stages. Currently, it can only accurately detect one out of four individuals who may attempt suicide.

Quebec coroners had urged STM to install platform screen doors. However, the STM has yet to take action as according to the agency, the STM had prioritized other projects due to financial constraints. 

This is despite the fact that the government has offered to cover the cost of the installation, funding 100% of the total cost.

The call for platform screen doors was intensified in January 2023, after the suicide of a 12-year-old girl. According to the report in CTV News, Coroner Karine Spénard concluded that the tragedy could have been avoided if platform doors were in place. 

For reference, cities like Paris, London, and Tokyo have successfully implemented platform doors. This not only prevents suicides but also objects that may fall onto the tracks and cause disruptions.  

References 

• CBC. UQAM-led study of Metro suicide attempts aims to save lives (2016). https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/uqam-suicide-study-1.3900054 
• CBC. Pilot project uses AI to prevent suicide in Montreal Metro. (2024). https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/artificial-intelligence-suicide-montreal-metro-1.7111793 
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Risk and Protective Factors for Suicide (2024). https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/risk-factors/index.html 
• CTV News. Despite continued pleas from coroners, Montreal metro not proceeding with platform screen doors any time soon. (2024). https://www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/article/despite-continued-pleas-from-coroners-montreal-metro-not-proceeding-with-platform-screen-doors-any-time-soon/ 
• Global News. Surveillance footage can identify suicidal behaviour in Montreal Metro: study (2016).
• National Library of Medicine. Suicide in the Montreal subway system: characteristics of the victims, antecedents, and implications for prevention (n.d.). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10500871/ 
• Government of Canada. Suicide: risks and prevention (n.d.). https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/suicide-prevention/suicide-risks-prevention.html 
• Government of Canada. Suicide in Canada: Key statistics (infographic) (n.d.). https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/suicide-canada-key-statistics-infographic.html 
• Science Direct. Job loss, financial strain, and housing problems as suicide precipitants: Associations with other life stressors (2022). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352827322002221 
• Suicide Prevention Centre of Montreal. Page (n.d.). https://cpsmontreal.ca/en/resources/ 
• Research and Intervention of Suicide, Ethical Issues and End-of-Life Practices at UQAM. Railway Suicide in the World (2018). https://railwaysuicideprevention.com/railway-fatalities/railway-suicide-in-the-world.html