School to review bullying protocol following death of Longueuil teenager

The principal of a high school attended by a teenager who died Thursday says while the school has plans in place to deal with bullying, it will be reviewing its procedures.

Simon Dufour, 15, was hit by a train near the Saint-Bruno station. It's believed his death was a suicide.

Simon's father, Martin Dufour, said his son was relentlessly bullied at André-Laurendeau high school in Saint-Hubert, and while he informed the school of what was going on several times, nothing changed.

In an interview, principal Nadia Caron would not answer questions specific to Dufour's case, but said deaths like Dufour's are complex situations that have forced a review of the support available to students in difficulty.

"Do we have to intensify the interventions we do, readjust the way we do things? Obviously this pushes us to ask ourselves questions," she said. 

Caron called Dufour's death a tragedy and offered her condolences to the family.

Psychologists and other support workers are on hand at the school to help students and staff who need it.

Police looking into context, events preceding death

Longueuil police are still investigating and have not confirmed the death was a suicide, said Const. Claudine Després.

She would not say specifically that investigators are looking into the family's allegations of bullying, but she did say the investigation will shed light on the context and events leading up to Dufour's death.

Officers from the police service were at the school Friday in a support role, answering any questions students have, Després said.

She did not know whether any students at the school were questioned in connection with the investigation.

Després said charges could be laid if officers find evidence of harassment that could have pushed Dufour to kill himself, but it is still too soon to say if that will happen.

Students take action

In the wake of Dufour's death, some students at the school showed their support for the young man and denounced bullying.

Students like Gabrielle Charbonneau's daughter, who she says was an acquaintance of Dufour, wore shirts bearing the words "Je Suis Simon" and "No to intimidation."

According to Charbonneau, her daughter was told she was violating the dress code and could be sent home— even though the words were written on her school-sanctioned polo shirt. 

But in a statement, the school administration said it was surprised to learn this had happened, because explicit instructions were given to the staff Monday morning to be "tolerant" of actions in support of the teenager who died.

Where to get help

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (phone), live chat counselling at www.kidshelpphone.ca

Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre

For parents of children who are the targets of bullying, the Mental Health Commission of Canada offers advice here.

If you're worried someone you know may be at risk of suicide, you should talk to them, says the Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention. Here are some warning signs:

• Suicidal thoughts.
• Substance abuse.
• Purposelessness.
• Anxiety.
• Feeling trapped.
• Hopelessness and helplessness.
• Withdrawal.
• Anger.
• Recklessness.
• Mood changes.