Étienne Boulay on determination through darkness

Tashi Farmilo

As part of Quebec’s 2026 Suicide Prevention Week, running from February 1 to 7, residents are invited to hear a powerful and deeply personal story from former professional football player Étienne Boulay. On February 5 at 7 pm, Boulay will speak at the Agora de la Maison du Citoyen in Gatineau in a free public event titled, Parcours d’un battant (The Journey of a Fighter).

Known for his time with the Montreal Alouettes and the New York Jets, Boulay now speaks openly about the battles that shaped his life after football. Behind the public image of a successful athlete were years marked by addiction, the lasting impact of concussions, the breakdown of his marriage and eventually a suicide attempt. He describes this as the darkest period in his life, one he kept hidden from family and friends until a third round of therapy helped him start to recover. Today, with over nine years of sobriety, he shares his story with honesty and a mix of humility, emotion and humour.

Suicide Prevention Week is a province-wide effort to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental illness, while encouraging open conversations and early intervention. According to the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), 1 142 people in Quebec died by suicide in 2022, with men continuing to be disproportionately affected. Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among young adults in the province. While long-term trends show a gradual decline in the suicide rate, recent years have seen an increase in emergency room visits related to suicidal thoughts and attempts, pointing to ongoing mental health challenges.

Suicide Prevention Week encourages people to have open conversations, offer support and remind those who are struggling that help is available. Boulay’s presentation reflects those goals. He walks audiences through the highs of his athletic career and the hidden struggles that followed, showing how perseverance, resilience and finally the willingness to ask for help allowed him to rebuild his life.