I live about half a mile from what is called the “High Bridge” in St. Paul, MN. The high bridge has a well-deserved infamy as a suicide spot -- with seven people jumping from the deck of the bridge which is 160 feet above the Mississippi, during 2015.
The bridge has been closed for several months. They’re installing a nine-foot high barrier to cut down on the jumpers.
Over the last three years I’ve sold two businesses and closed another. Even though I’m fairly busy with my consulting business I’ll admit I’ve had thoughts of using the bridge to end my feelings of loss of purpose.
Today I was going through a list of reasons why such thoughts are illogical. The number two reason I want to stick around (after my grandchildren at number One) is to see what my muse will demand I write next. I’m several thousand words into a new story.
That made me wonder how many others use BC as a barrier between them and a bad final decision. My guess is more than a few.
Thanks, Erin.
Jill
Comments
Hugs
A friendly place....
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
Please don't ......
even if at the moment your view of your life is dark, please accept that people DO CARE and that what you do matters to others. Grubby platitudes about 'I'm sure you don't mean it' are crass and ugly. Having dealt with a friend with suicidal impulses before and even though I know that circumstances are never similar ..... I do hope that knowing other people care is a small reason to think of alternatives.
Best wishes to get through Christmas and into the next year
Alys P
Damn Straight !
Several of my earlier stories were the barrier between that and I. I'm glad that we both made it.
Merry Christmas
Gwen
Angela
If you defeat the long-awaited new fence, there will be one less author for me to read. And just think, they spent 4 times too long building it, you wouldn't want to make the State look bad, would you?
Smile.
Hugs, Karen
Sad
Sad to think that they think a fence will help. Spend millions so that people will have to find a different path to their goal. Why not spend the same money to actually deal with the problem, rather than the symptoms.
Dawn
Re: Sad
Dawn is absolutely correct; if people really, truly want to do that, they will, one way or another.
I live in Toronto, and several years ago the city put up a barrier consisting of five meter high heavy steel rods set five inches apart on a framework along both sides of a bridge I know quite well. It stopped people from using that particular bridge as their method of suicide, but according to a study done in 2010, 7 years after the framework went up, overall suicide rates here by jumping have not changed at all.
It would be better to have more programs in place to help people that feel suicidal BEFORE they actually decide to do something.
So painful
as to wish to be undone is not the same as choosing to end it all. I've walked up to the edge of the latter while frequently dwelling in the midst of the former. What makes life bearable is the love we have from family and the overwhelming blessing of enjoying friendships we have with friends like you and others here. I am alive in no small part because of this home here and folks like YOU!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whhAg6bA3_o I can choose it (or not) if I please!
Love, Andrea Lena
There are many of these
One of the oldest is the Dean Bridge in Edinburgh.
It was almost the last work of celbrated Scottish engineer Thomas Telford.
It spans the Water of Leith and has Dean Village below.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Bridge
A truly beautiful structure. Last time I heard Edinburgh City Council were thinking of putting more anti-suicide measures on it but there was opposition. The first work done to prevent suicides was done way back in 1888.
{if I ever went on Mastermind, my specialisted subject would be the Water of Leith.}