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Suicide hotline

Vic Sage Aug 31 2007 09:19 AM

I read that they've installed phones on the George Washington bridge that are directly linked to a suicide prevention hotline.

Vic Sage Aug 31 2007 09:35 AM

I'm just saying.

DocTee Aug 31 2007 09:40 AM

If that's true, that is great. Here in CA, authorities have resisited efforts to place a suicide barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge, for aesthetic reasons. A recent award-winning documentary chronicles the devastating effect suicide (by some accounts, one per week from the span) has. I'll try to find the link and post the infomation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bridge_(documentary_film) A colleague lost his daughter to this, so it is close to my heart.

Nymr83 Aug 31 2007 10:46 AM

i agree with the decision of the CA authorities, if people want to kill themselves they'll find a way, theres no reason to take away from everyone else's enjoyment of a national landmark. i'd feel differently if we were taling about accident prevention (say if people walking across the brooklyn bridge fell off with any regularity.)

OlerudOwned Aug 31 2007 12:33 PM

DocTee wrote: If that's true, that is great. Here in CA, authorities have resisited efforts to place a suicide barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge, for aesthetic reasons. A recent award-winning documentary chronicles the devastating effect suicide (by some accounts, one per week from the span) has. I'll try to find the link and post the infomation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bridge_(documentary_film) A colleague lost his daughter to this, so it is close to my heart. http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2003/10/13/031013fa_fact The article, Jumpers, that preceded the film.

Farmer Ted Aug 31 2007 12:40 PM

I read recently that the Tappen Zee was doing the suicide phone thing.

Willets Point Aug 31 2007 12:41 PM

I think there's a big difference between a phone and a barrier. I thought the phones were in place decades ago, by the way.

OlerudOwned Aug 31 2007 12:43 PM

So, getting back to why (I'd assume) this thread was made. If we get swept out of Atlanta, do we need phones or a barrier?

Willets Point Aug 31 2007 12:46 PM

I think we're a more extroverted group when it comes to venting our rage, so Chipper and Andruw Jones may need body guards, or the Mets goat du jour will have to look out.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 01 2007 09:31 AM

I bicycled across the Golden Gate bridge yesterday, and I can verify that there are two crisis hotline phones along the walkway, one on the south side and one on the north side. Jumping off the bridge would be incredibly easy for anyone inclined to do so. You just have to throw yourself over a fence that's about four feet high.

Nymr83 Sep 01 2007 09:37 AM

don't most bridges have phones anyway, dating back to the pre-historic age before cellphones when broken down vehicles needed a way to call a towtruck?

DocTee Sep 01 2007 09:48 AM

Yancy-- That's a great ride. I've done it myself. With the Bay Bridge closed this wekend, you'll have the city to yourself. Enjoy the holiday!

DocTee Sep 01 2007 10:27 AM

There is a security detail of a few bicycle cops on the bridge, the main purpose of which is to spot and stop would be suicides. That's gotta be a tough beat.

Edgy DC Sep 01 2007 10:45 AM

Nymr83 wrote: ...if people want to kill themselves they'll find a way.... This isn't true. "Easy access to lethal methods" is one of the primary risk factors in suicide, as "easy access to clinical interventions and support" is a protective factor.

willpie Sep 01 2007 10:52 AM

I blew out a tire on the Newburgh-Beacon bridge last month and thought I was going to die.

Nymr83 Sep 01 2007 12:06 PM

Edgy DC wrote: ="Nymr83"]...if people want to kill themselves they'll find a way.... This isn't true. "Easy access to lethal methods" is one of the primary risk factors in suicide, as "easy access to clinical interventions and support" is a protective factor. if driving to the bridge and jumping off is "easy access" its even easier to get in your car and leave the engine on in the garage... and its painless

Edgy DC Sep 01 2007 02:12 PM

Yes, it's easy access, particularly once you're there, particularly since one a week is succeeding. And it's easily vulnerable to intervention since it's in public.

Nymr83 Sep 27 2007 05:59 PM

Mets down 3-0, Phillies up 6-0.... anyone need directions to the nearest bridge?

cooby Sep 27 2007 06:01 PM

I promised someone today that the Mets would win the rest of their games and they sure as heck better