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September 2019 Newsletter
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2019 Golden Gate Bridge Suicide Statistics
Confirmed suicides January-Aug.: 16
Unconfirmed suicides January-Aug.: 2
Interventions January-Aug.: 109
Suicides & interventions January-Aug.: 127
Source: Golden Gate Bridge District
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2018 Golden Gate Bridge Suicide Statistics
Confirmed suicides during the year: 27
Unconfirmed suicides during the year: 4
Interventions during the year: 187
Suicides & interventions during the year: 218
Source: Golden Gate Bridge District
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Bridgewatch Angels
A group of volunteers who walk the Golden Gate Bridge regularly looking for potentially suicidal people in order to talk them out of it is the subject of an upcoming story on KCBS Radio, The group, called the Bridgewatch Angels, keeps an eye out for people who are alone, stay in one spot for a long period of time, have a "1,000-yard stare," appear visibly distraught, place personal possessions on the ground, or are dressed in clothing that is inappropriate for the weather. Other tipoffs: poor posture, a dishelved appearance, and random pacing. The group has been the subject of other news stories in the past.
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New Suicide Hotline Number?
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is recommending that a new, toll-free, three-digit phone number be created for suicide prevention. The number, 988, would be managed by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which operates America's primary suicide hotlines (1-800-273-TALK and 1-800-SUICIDE). Calls will be routed to a network of independent crisis centers the way they are now, with licensed clinicans and highly-trained volunteers providing free counseling and support. The recommendation is pending.
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Wisconsin Cornfield Message
A farmer in Wisconsin turned 11 acres of his cornfield into a billboard for suicide prevention. Carved into the field (below) is a maze with the message "Your life matters" and the number of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. "Everybody is somebody's most important person," said John Govin, who owns the field. "If we can make a difference, if we save a life this fall, that's worth it." The maze, an annual tradition, opens September 21.
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Behind the Message
"We have always picked a theme that has meaning to our family," Govin told reporters. "This year suicide was some-thing we, unfortunately, had to face...We hope to make a difference in someone's life and help them understand that they matter." Govin and his wife, Julie, plan to donate some of the proceeds from the maze to suicide prevention groups.
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