Sunday Times article on "The bridge" film - Warning possible triggers

Sunday Times article on "The bridge" film - Warning possible triggers
M

mark250676

Registrant
The first I've read on this film. For those that don't know about it

(http)://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bridge_%28documentary_film%29

It's basically a film that depicts the actual suicide of 24 people in 2004 who jumped off the golden gate bridge. It also includes an interview from a man who attempted suicide by jumping off the bridge only to break his back.

I've not made my mnd up about the morals of the film and whether or not to read it but it already appears to be starting to get people to talk about mental health / suicide and the links. This has got to be a good thing but is the mechanism to get this discussion going paying too high a price?

The times article included some startling facts -

Far more people commit suicide than are victims of homicide.

a survey was done in the 60's 70's that indicated that all of the people who carried out failed attempts thought "I Don't want to die" as they left the bridge.

And also opened the discussion about how the public percieve mental health by demonstrating that people often sign casts if someone has a broken arm but as far as I know no one has had their head signed when disclosing they are suffering from mental health problems.

Just wondered what the rest of you guys flt about this.

All the best Mark
 
Mark if you like I will sign your head. :p

This is frightening:

"Currently, a person jumps off the Golden Gate Bridge every 15 days."
 
They tried to erect a suicide barrier back in the 70s but it was blocked....it would spoil the view. Maybe they changed their mind but the specious reasons used "aw, they'd find a way to go over, etc."

People jump off St Peter's in Rome all the time.
There's a coffee shop and post office up on the roof!

froggy
 
The article included a section that explained that the state had declined to build a barrier even to this day.
 
well honestly, what would a barrier do? if someone wants to kill themselves they'll find another way if they can't jump off one particular bridge. it isnt the bridge's fault
 
Didn't realize that 1 people jump off the bridge every 15 days.

Very rarley are these jumpers mentioned in the news or in the paper.

The filmakers told the GG Bridge District that their intent for the film was about something else before it was filmed. I don't remember what it was.

Like batcountry says, "it isn't the bridges fault"

They also stop their vehicles and jump from the Bay Bridge or the San Mateo bridge and even off the piers... If they want to they will find the way.

I recall several years ago, on a friday afternoon commute someone got out of their car on the Bay Bridge and kept the police at bay for at least 6-7 hours. What a nightmare. They were finaly able to get to the guy and get him some help, but waht a day.
 
I guess a lot of us have been in that position.
The rail line by me has two barrier crossings, it doesnt stop them vaulting over to their deaths.
Just keep seeing flowers placed there.

Hope nobody here contemplates it, first seek help its there if you ask,

ste
 
The thing that hit me the most was the point that those who had failed attempts all said when they thought they had reached the point of no return they didn't want to die.

I've been very close once but, luckily, my kids flashed into my mind and the impulse went. Won't go into detail but it involved a syringe.

At my next therapy session I told my therapist, an extremely bad one!!, and she joked that maybe I shouldn't go near any needles before my next visit!!
 
It is so sad to read in the newspapers or hear on the news that someone has "put" themselves under a train or jumped to their deaths from a bridge etc.

In general society, as in family support has let these people down and they feel that the world is too much for them. I could write more but i find it very sad.

Duncan
 
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