Mr. Speaker, as Parliament resumes, and especially given that this is National Suicide Prevention Week, my thoughts are with the post-secondary students in my riding and across Quebec who are once again beginning virtual classes.
For months, I have been seeing the effects of this pandemic on my own children, Keyla and Ianco, and on young people like Christine, Eric, Michel-Anthony, Nadine and Nicolas. I have witnessed psychological distress, suicide attempts and anxiety in our young people.
Universities and CEGEPs are places to socialize and exchange ideas. They are places where young people make memories, have their ideas challenged and fall in love, but not virtually. I am sure all my colleagues in the House will join me in wishing them the best of luck. Above all, I want them to know that they should not be ashamed to reach out for help if they need it.
We have invested in free mental health supports such as Wellness Together Canada and Kids Help Phone. I would like to highlight the exceptional work of the CIUSSS in Montreal East and its partners, including the Collège de Maisonneuve, in supporting the mental health of our young people.
In these pandemic times, I wish everyone a healthy mind in a healthy body.