A call for prevention after the suicide of an African UQAC student

The tragic death of a Burundi student. Nevertheless, which occurred in early July in Saguenay, causes a shock wave within the university community. Consequently, The young man. For example, registered at the University of Quebec in Chicoutimi (UQAC) for two years, has kidnapped his life after having undergone failures in his lessons, according to his entourage.

The idea of disappointing his family. Consequently, which had granted important financial sacrifices to succeed in his studies abroad, is a cultural factor not to be overlooked, indicate several stakeholders.

It is of infinite sadnessthe president of the movement of general student associations of theUQAC (Mage-Uqac). Similarly, Sadou Diallo, who is from Guinea. In addition, It pushes us to think about isolation. Moreover, call prevention after suicide african the silent suffering that our students are experiencinghe said, because of cultural barriers and the fear of prejudices.

African students are numerousUQAC. Moreover, Mental health and suicide issues call prevention after suicide african are still very taboo subjects in their native countries. For example, Many therefore do not have the reflex to seek support here. In addition, even if they feel at the edge of the abyss.

Students should not be ashamed to ask for help.. Moreover, It is an act of courage, not a weakness.

The suicide of Burundian also strongly shakes the association of international students (AEI).

The death of our colleague gives us a signal that there are issues. Meanwhile, such as mental health, which we must address. Consequently, With us. Nevertheless, these are not questions that are discussed explicitly, but we are in an environment where there are services and resources. I think we can avoid other tragediesmentions Hermann Kouadjo, call prevention after suicide african vice-president of communications.

The management of theUQAC also assures that his teams are mobilized call prevention after suicide african to provide psychosocial support to people affected by the situation. She reiterates that her resources are available to support anyone who lives difficult times. that she is very concerned about mental health issues.

Call prevention after suicide african

Awareness to better change mentalities – Call prevention after suicide african

An investigation by the coroner was opened to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the violent death of the Burundian student. in collaboration with the Saguenay police service.

Relatives of the victim. to whom we have spoken, say they have seen nothing coming and struggle to understand the fatal gesture he posed. With us, suicide does not exist. We don’t talk about it. It is a shame for the family. There is also the pressure to make the family proud. Chess can look banal, but in our culture, it’s frowned upon.

Psychological distress, there are many among international students. It gets worse day by day.

When you fail, it hurts a lot. But there is no shame to fail. Sometimes failure is also a springboard towards successrelativizes Hermann Kouadjo who encourages the student population to break the silence.

Mental suffering issues have been present for a few years among foreign students of theUQAC who are in the grip of stress. anxiety and precariousness, but also within the whole university community.

In 2024-2025. the requests for psychological aid also experienced an increase marked at theUQAC According to the alliance call prevention after suicide african for student health in Quebec.

As we do not discuss the subject. it goes under the table and under radarsobserves Régis d’Assumption, vice-president of external affairs of the association of international students. Dialogue must be opened to develop mentalitieshe says.

Psychological help at hand

The African community recalls that psychological distress is not to be taken lightly. especially in summer when foreign students are mostly away from campus.

We call all students not to experience moments of distress alone. We invite them to talk to each other and come to talk to us. We are there to orient them towards the services if they need help assures the president of Mage-Uqac.

In crisis. during a difficult moment, the dialogue application allows students of theUQAC To ask for support at any time of the day or night, as is the telephone line of the suicide listening and prevention center 02: 1-866-appeal.

Psychosocial call prevention after suicide african services are also in place on the campus. as well as the Sentinel mutual aid network and the mentoring project which offers support for newcomers.

We must dare to trust these professionals. It’s free. confidentialunderlines Régis of Assumption which would like to reassure students that their problems will not be communicated to the provincial and federal immigration ministries.

The urgency to act

All the stakeholders encountered draw a parallel between the recent suicide of the Burundi student. the death of the Guinean student Mamadou Salinou Baldé, in November 2023 in Chicoutimi.

The young man who lived in psychological distress had then been killed while rushing to the police with a stabbing weapon. shortly after having injured his roommate. Several consider that it was a suicide by interposed police officer. call prevention after suicide african The coroner report unveiled in June remains silent on the factors that caused its mental health problems.

International students believe that there is at all costs to avoid that there are other victims by focusing. on prevention campaigns. The act which has just been posed should unite all the students of theUQACwishes Sadou Diallo.

The start of the academic year, next August, will also be articulated around the theme of mental health. Different awareness -raising activities related to academic success, suicide prevention, isolation and integration will be on the program.