Mental health often progresses quietly. There are few big announcements and even fewer visible initiatives for the general public. And yet, behind the walls of the CHU de Lille, a nationally significant project is taking shape with a strong ambition: to transform good local ideas into concrete prevention tools.
An unprecedented fund born in Lille, designed to take real action
It's a first in France. Suicide Prevention France, officially launched in December 2025, is the very first endowment fund entirely dedicated to suicide prevention. Supported by health professionals, researchers, and field actors, the project was born at CHU de Lille, already recognized for its medical excellence.
The objective is clear: to identify, fund, and support effective initiatives, often local, but capable of being scaled up. Where many projects remain confidential due to lack of resources, this fund aims to serve as a springboard.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
Breaking the Taboo and Supporting What Truly Works
In France, it is estimated that a person dies by suicide every 40 minutes. Behind these numbers are often avoidable tragedies. However, the country lags behind its European neighbors in prevention, largely due to the taboo that still surrounds mental health.
Prévention Suicide France takes a direct approach: shine a light on what works, support the teams that are innovating, and create a national dynamic. "France is full of relevant local initiatives. They deserve to be strengthened and shared," explains Professor Pierre Thomas, psychiatrist at Lille University Hospital and president of the association.
Some Initial Projects Already Supported
From its launch, the fund is taking action. Four pilot projects have already been selected and funded, with a total budget of 110,000 euros. All have uThere is a common point: a concrete approach, grounded in the field, and the ability to be replicated elsewhere in France.
The supported projects touch on several key levers: early detection of at-risk individuals, support for professionals, innovative prevention tools, and new forms of care.
Lille, a laboratory of innovations in mental health
It's no coincidence that this fund was born in Lille. The Lille University Hospital recently made headlines on the international stage, with the Claude-Huriez hospital ranked among the 30 best hospitals in the world by Newsweek. This recognition further strengthens the legitimacy of this new initiative.
With Suicide Prevention France, Lille reaffirms its role as a pilot city in mental health, capable of bringing forth solutions that go beyond the regional framework.
A strong signal for the future
This fund does not claim to solve everything, but it sends a clear message: suicide prevention deserves resources, visibility, and a real strategy.
National Day. By supporting good ideas, structuring existing initiatives, and daring to speak about the topic openly, Suicide Prevention France is paving a long-neglected path.What if the fight against suicide finally moved from silence to action?