West Seattle Bridge Suicide Prevention

[RG]

(I told fellow bus commuters I’d post this so they could read it, and others as well. I hope it’s okay. My email was forwarded on to SDOT and it was they who responded [see below]).

Sent: Monday, August 29, 2011 7:18 PM

To: ‘tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov’

Subject: West Seattle Bridge Suicide Prevention

Dear Councilmember Rasmussen,

I am writing to ask you to please consider installing suicide prevention signs to the West Seattle Bridge.

While driving home from work, westbound over the West Seattle Bridge Saturday night, I saw a heavy police presence and realized immediately what was happening. Someone felt hopeless enough to end their life. I thought about the families and friends who would be affected by such an incomprehensible loss; I thought about their road of suffering, life-long confusion, and the painful chain of unanswered what if questions.

The eastbound lanes of the bridge were completely closed, along with one westbound lane, while the SPD did their best work to resolve the situation. The next day I was saddened to learn that efforts to save the individual had failed.

Since suicide is a public health issue that is mostly ignored, these signs can communicate to a suicidal person that they are in fact not cut off from other human beings; they are not alone and there is someone waiting and ready to talk to them and help them. (The signs could include a message that there is hope and information such as the phone number of the local crisis clinic or a suicide hotline phone number). Even small and subtle signage on the West Seattle Bridge has the profound potential to save a life. Indeed, other cities have found that posted signage on bridges is helpful in directing individuals to the most immediate resources available.

I understand that in today’s budget-driven government there will be a closely-examined cost involved. However, it would be a one-time cost that could saves lives. Furthermore, I know from talking with my neighbors that we, as a neighborhood here in West Seattle , could raise the necessary funds to pay for the physical cost of the signage using community financial support.

The main reason why people commit suicide is because they have untreated depression, therefore suicide is preventable. The benefits of the signs will be worth the cost.

Please let me know if this is something that could be done.

Thank you so much for your help.

Respectfully and Sincerely,

______________________________________________

(This is the response I received from SDOT)

From: SDOT

Sent: Friday, October 28, 2011 11:08 AM

Cc: brian.hawksford@seattle.gov; tracie.sunday@seattle.gov;

dannette.smith@seattle.gov; luke.korpi@seattle.gov

Subject: RE: West Seattle Bridge Suicide Prevention

Dear :

Everyone at the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is always saddened to hear when a life is lost, and it is especially difficult to learn that an individual made the decision to end their own life.

Each time we build a new bridge or rehabilitate one, we consider how public safety can be improved. For example, pedestrian railings have been getting higher over the years, generally to address bicycle safety. We also make the openings in railings much smaller than we used to, providing additional safety for small children. In conjunction with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), SDOT recently installed barrier fencing on the Aurora Bridge. This bridge had become one of the nation’s most infamous bridges for people in crisis, and numerous steps were taken to mitigate its reputation including signs and call boxes.

Your suggestion to install signage to minimize suicides on the West Seattle Bridge holds some validity. Research shows that in locations where a known problem exists such as the Aurora Bridge, fences and signs have decreased the number of attempted suicides. Unfortunately, suicide is a significant public health issue that cannot be resolved solely by installing signs or high fences on bridges. Successful intervention must influence some combination of psychological state, physical environment, and cultural conditions, and one solution may not be universally applicable.

Suicide attempts from the West Seattle Bridge are thankfully much lower than that of the Aurora Bridge, and their circumstances differ in that there is no pedestrian facility along the high level bridge span. Those considering suicide from the upper portion of West Seattle Bridge have most commonly driven onto the bridge and exited the vehicle. It would be exceedingly difficult to place signage in such a way as to attract a person in crisis’ attention. In this case, such signage may serve to attract the very actions we hope to avert, so we are not currently considering such an installation.

While I understand this is not the outcome you hoped for, we continue to learn more about suicide prevention with every passing day, and we hope there will come a time when we can reach everyone before they reach a crisis point.

Again, thank you for writing. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact SDOT’s Luke Korpi at luke.korpi@seattle.gov or (206) 684-5069.

Sincerely,

Peter Hahn, Director

Seattle Department of Transportation

CC:Brian Hawksford, Legislative Assistant to Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, Dannette Smith, Director, Human Services Department, Luke Korpi, Acting Traffic Operations Manager, SDOT, Tracie Sunday, Strategic Advisor, SDOT

(That is the reply I received. I remember thinking at the time that I could drive a truck through the holes in their reasons for rejecting the idea: subtle signage CAN be placed so that drivers in motion can’t see it – but someone right there wanting to jump can. I know there is an artist somewhere out there who can design it.

For me, I’ll always wonder if the woman I saw parked, sitting in her car on the span crest, days BEFORE she killed herself, might have sought help had there been something, anything there…)

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[datamuse]

And I notice they don’t address bridge barriers at all, which HAVE been shown to decrease suicide rates.

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[miws]

Thank you for sending the letter, RG, and for sharing it and the response with us.

Mike

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[wakeflood]

I suspect this will sound callous to many but I was pleasantly surprised by the thoughtful response from SDOT.

I realize it seems unhelpful to those who support more action being taken right now, but it appears that SDOT was quite willing to seriously look at the issue and review potential resolutions.

You may disagree with the efficacy of their current “no action” plan but they sound open to keeping the dialogue going. That’s a good thing.

Maybe this OP and others who keep this issue alive will change minds over time.

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[datamuse]

Oh, admittedly I’d have been stunned if the letter said something like “Yes we will do this right now.” Government just doesn’t turn that fast.

I’m cynical because people have been trying to get some sort of response out of San Francisco re: the Golden Gate Bridge for years and gotten nowhere. If SDOT is open to taking some measure, that’s encouraging.

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[metrognome]

RG — as miws said, thanks for taking the initiative to contact the city and for posting both your e-mail and SDOT’s response. A co-worker’s recently divorced ex-husband was one of the last people who leapt from the Aurora Bridge before the fencing was installed, so I’ve seen the consequences on loved ones.

And, I agree with wakeflood. As Peter Hahn pointed out, there is no legal ped access to the WSBridge, which limits the number of potential jumpers. While a fence seems like an obvious solution because it is so visible, it may not be that effective. Would signage deter suicidal persons or plant the thought?

I did a little research: more than 230 people have jumped from the Aurora Bridge; only the Golden Gate Bridge has a deadlier reputation. There were a record 50 jumps from the Aurora Bridge between 1995 and 2011 when the fence was completed.

Per WSDOT, the Aurora Bridge fencing cost $5 million. I have no idea how this would compare to the WSBridge. It is an unfortunate fact of life that governments have to make difficult decisions; would spending $5mil on less visible road/sidewalk improvements save more lives than spending that amount on a fence on the WSBridge? I would at least like to see an estimate from SDOT on the potential costs.

p.s. datamuse, what do you mean by ‘bride barriers’ other than fencing?

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr99/aurorabridgefence/

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/suicide-prevention-week-seattle-bridge-worst-us-stems/story?id=17181654 (includes several links to other good resources)

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[wakeflood]

datamuse, it looks like the spec for the Golden Gate to include suicide netting – added to the already extant high fencing and signage – is $50 million?

Did I read that right??

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[trickycoolj]

I always think about this as I make my way over the crest of the bridge after we hear reports of someone taking their life. As I drive my car to the crest I think, there are no sidewalks here, someone has to drive all the way up here and stop in 4 lanes of traffic to do this. I can’t even remotely put myself in those shoes and can only imagine how rock bottom one must feel to go through all of these steps to go through with it. It really upsets me to think about it for very long. I am however happy there are others in our community that are strong enough to speak up and hopefully help those that have lost their strength.

I understand SDOTs considerations so far, that for such a large span, where do you put signs/callboxes to provide help to someone? Would they just park between them and not see the offer for help? I can at least appreciate that they didn’t coldheartedly shoot down OPs ideas and have explored some options. I wonder, have instances increased on our bridge since the fence was installed on Aurora?

I am also trying to recall what, if anything, was on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge bicycle/pedestrian path. I rode my bike over it last year in the rain on a training ride, I was pretty terrified up on my skinny slick tires in the rain on the height of a road bike that put me closer to the top of the fence I couldn’t really pay close enough attention to whether or not there were signs/callboxes.

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[datamuse]

metrognome, yes, fencing. Studies have shown that it is a deterrent–maybe just the effort involved in climbing over it. Jumpers who survive typically speak of regretting it the instant they jump. Perhaps the extra time it takes to climb a fence is long enough to rethink the idea.

I have no idea if you read that right, wakeflood, since I have no idea where you read it.

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[wakeflood]

Sorry, datamuse, I should have posted a link. But I just did another search and found a different article that indicated the amount was $45M, so same ballpark.

I thought this was an interesting read about the phenomenon of bridge jumpers and the Golden Gate specifically.

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2013/10/golden_gate_bridge_suicide_barrier_controversy_and_cost_over_a_life_saver.2.html

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[kgdlg]

WF I just read that article and it is utterly tragic! I think unless you have been touched by mental illness or suicide of a loved one, it is so easy to assume that a suicidal person can’t and shouldn’t be rescued. Does anyone know the stats on the WSB. I drove by a parked car of someone who later jumped recently and I still cannot shake the memory.

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[WSB]

I don’t know of any stats aside from what we have archived from the past few years, since generally we hear about something like this if it happens. When reporting on the Thursday incident, I looked up the recent archives. It happened twice in 2013, in January and May. No one in 2012. One person in 2011 (despite hours of police negotiations). No one in 2010. One in 2009. Three in 2007. I googled around to see if anyone was missed … not foolproof since the misguided (and, I believe, dangerous) suicide taboo keeps these deaths from being acknowledged most places … but did not find any others. – TR

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[RG]

trickycoolj, your first paragraph is exactly how I feel.

I think that for being an epidemic there’s not been a lot of money given to research on suicide, except by the military. I think they’ve put about $70 million toward research, though I’d have to look up the exact figure. I do know that they put money toward prevention in the form of rehabilitation (think: PTSD).

Honestly though, in addition to research I think that if there was one standard, uniform, reporting process for the feds to gather state data we’d have a better understanding of how high the statistics really are, as well as gain a better picture of the true impact on society. Then, I think there will be more openness to spending money and time on prevention. As an aside, I think the rising rates of baby boomers and middle-agers committing suicide are causing a spur in awareness both locally and on a national level. Kind of forcing people to take a look at it.

You know, to my surprise I once came across an article that mentioned the monetary cost of suicide in the US and it was somewhere around $35 billion per year. That’s huge, and it disturbed me for a long time, for so many reasons. And who knows, maybe that startling figure will motivate more federal agency discussions.

Overall though, I feel that the trajectory of suicide awareness has slowly been coming out of the darkness and into the light, where we can better see what hope actually looks like. The way I personally go about helping bring awareness, in my own little way, is to actually speak about it and not change the subject when it comes up. I use the word ‘suicide’ itself to take some of the taboo power out of it, and I don’t lower my voice when I say it. Does that make sense? I try to speak as honestly as I can. I guess that’s how I try to help.

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[seaopgal]

It is important to be open and direct when interacting with someone who is depressed and in crisis, or even people who joke about suicide. Don’t be afraid to ask them if they have thought about or are considering suicide. If they say yes, ask if they have made a plan or thought about how they would do it (method, weapon, timing, etc.). Even if they say no, you can express you concern and then make a contract (verbal or signed) that they will contact you and/or at least one other person (counselor, crisis line, etc.) before they do anything. This seems simple, but it is a proven, effective tool.

Here is a clear step-by-step … it should be taught to everyone, just like CPR.

http://www.sfsuicide.org/prevention-strategies/how-to-help-someone/

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[RG]

seaopgal!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your post and the link you shared. That has got to be THE best suicide help site I’ve ever seen.

And, come toward the month of May, with the highest rates of suicide, I’m going to bump the heck out of this thread :-)

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[homedk]

I really appreciate the discussion about this issue.

Sadly, I’ve personally known several people who have committed suicide – a colleague, a friend went to school with, and a friend of my parents. I often reflect on how/why they each had gotten to that point and what might have prevented it and could anyone have seen it coming. I also know someone formerly close to me who has tried multiple times…

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My opinion is that money for fences and signage on the WS Bridge will just make those determined to end their lives choose some other method or venue. I’m not an expert, but don’t think suicide is based on opportunity for most people. There are so many who don’t jump to their deaths, but rather overdose on something, use carbon monoxide or choose some other method.

.

I think that suicide-prevention money is NOT well spent on making an individual venue suicide-proof. Rather, it could be better spent on solutions like free counseling or mental health care, crisis lines, and awareness campaigns that could make someone who was contemplating suicide feel that there is an alternative… I believe that the “anti-bullying” in the schools initiatives and the “it gets better” campaign make a difference…and wish there was something as (or more) effective in place for adults who feel an overriding sense of failure or are having a personal crisis … but they look around and everyone else seems to be doing fine/better than they are. Yet, they are slipping through the cracks.

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I believe that the people that I mentioned earlier were depressed (diagnosed or not), and felt unsupported and trapped in their personal situations (relationship troubles, financial woes, facing illness/loss) with no visible way out.

I think the solution needs to be more than a fence or nets on bridges.

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[RG]

homedk:

“They will just go somewhere else to kill themselves” is one of those myths about suicide that has been proven scientifically to be false because of the impulsivity associated with most suicides. (I’ll Google it later and get some sources for you).

In the case of the West Seattle Bridge, I feel that that myth is dangerous because it keeps prevention efforts from being put into place.

If someone is about to kill themselves but is stopped in-place, or interrupted, for whatever reason, and they don’t (or are unable to) carry out the act itself, it does not mean that they will go on to kill themselves later. Neurologically speaking their brain (chemically) could be in a different state from what it was when they were about to kill themselves initially.

You are correct that “the solution needs to be more than a fence or nets on bridges” but since I don’t understand what “the solution” is, I think it’s okay to start somewhere.

For me personally, I might not be able to write legislation, allocate funding, create programs, undo budget cuts, but if I can help get one person in pain to talk to someone about ending their pain instead of their life, then I think I’ll try.

I think it can be done :-)

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[homedk]

RG, I appreciate your response & don’t disagree that something needs to be done to try to make a difference here. I also think that one person can make a difference & that it’s important to try.

.

My point is only that I have personally known of several people who have taken their own lives and not one of them jumped… rather, it was pills, carbon monoxide, a gun & a sharp turn off a road into a lake. :(

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What I think is needed is a culture shift, so that those who are so distressed don’t just delay their plans to end it all. I’m not trying to perpetuate ignorance. I get that perhaps later their brains may be in a different place chemically/neurologically/emotionally, and perhaps they will get beyond this impulse to harm themselves.

.

Unfortunately, I believe that for some, there is a direct correlation between chemical dependency and depression, so the depression doesn’t go away…and the return to despair comes back again and again and the moment does not pass.

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Until seeking mental health resources or help with alcoholism/drugs, and having a pre-existing condition are no longer stigmatized or unaffordable, I think some that are suicidal will not seek help.

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Again, I’m not an expert…just someone who looks back on those people I knew who are now gone and wonder what (if anything) could have made a difference.

.

I would advocate for resources being used to raise awareness of the problem. As long as most of the other media and news sources sweep it under the rug, those that are suicide-prone and their loved ones remain marginalized.

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