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Mental Health Humor: Golden Gate Bridge Suicide Net -

Today’s cartoon is not really a cartoon but more of a statement. See, today when I was reading over one of my favorite blogs and I was happy to see Sierra (anxiety) blog post about Golden Gate Bridge, she writes:

“approximately 20 people jump from the bridge in order to commit suicide each year.”

Here are the records from the last five years.

2008 Summary of GGBHTD incident reports (year to date through September 30*)
19 - Confirmed suicides (S)
48 - Possible intent of Suicide (PIS)
6 - Unconfirmed suicides (PS)
2007 Summary of GGBHTD incident reports*
38 - Confirmed suicides (S)
82 - Possible intent of Suicide (PIS)
7 - Unconfirmed suicides (PS)
2006 Summary of GGBHTD incident reports*
31 - Confirmed suicides (S)
57 - Possible intent of suicide (PIS)
10 - Unconfirmed suicides (PS)
2005 Summary of GGBHD incident reports*
23 - Confirmed suicides (S)
58 - Possible intent of suicide (PIS)
6 - Unconfirmed suicides (PS)
2004 Summary of GGBHD incident reports*
20 - Confirmed suicides (S)
50- Possible intent of suicide (PIS)
4 - Unconfirmed suicides (PS)

It’s a sad fact, and also estimated that since, some 1300 people have killed themselves from the bridge. Also, there is an unknown number of people that have been stopped or talked down and a few that survived the fall. Well, now they will be adding a suicide net to the bridge.

“The Board of Directors voted today, October 10, 2008, with a vote of 14 yes and 1 no, to select Alternative 3 - the NET as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA). The motion was made by San Francisco Supervisor and Board member Tom Ammiano and seconded by Marin County Supervisor and Board member Charles McGlashan.” Golden Gate Bridge

It will hang 20′ down and go 20′ out and cost some $50,000,000 to build. But that is a small price to pay to save a life, right? I mean that equals out to $38,461.00 per life. I guess that’s a good deal.

But, you may ask why a NET? Well, a fence would get in the way of your view! At least with a net that will be wire covered with black plastic so as not to get in the way of the view.

For years the net or fence has been a topic of great debate while 263 people committed suicide.

So, how do I really feel about it? IT’S ABOUT TIME!!!

Still a net will not solve the problem and I’m sure there will be ways around it. Maybe if they put an electric shock in to the net, that might help… Think about it, when/if they jump or fall into the net people would get an ECT treatment and might decide not to skoot to the edge of the net and jump again.

Seriously, I do hope that it will give people a second chance or be a deterrent. Each year 20% of people dealing with mental disorders that are suicidal find a way to succeed. We need to get to them before they get to that point of making a plan and jump in the car and go to a bridge… That is why education is so vital. I applaud the 14 to 1 vote by the board of directors. I really do But that is only one bridge, there is not enough netting in the world to cover each bridge. What can we do?

As a person living with a disorder and with what my doctor calls “suicidal tendencies” and “multiple attempts” under my belt, I can tell you this, all it takes some times is a calm voice of reason before things get out of hand to help us down. That is why having or (being) a suicide net work of friends and doctors is more important than a net on a bridge. Let’s help someone before they get on the bridge.

Talk frankly with your loved one when your balanced. Help them understand what they can look for and what they can do to help. No one wants to be sent to the psych ward against their will but some times it is necessary.

What about if you are not sure if your friend or loved one is suicidal? What should you look out for? Get Educated!

Suicide.org: Suicide Prevention, Awareness, and Support

Suicide Warning Signs: (see link for full list)

• Appearing depressed or sad most of the time.
  (Untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide.)
• Feeling hopeless.
• Expressing hopelessness.
• Withdrawing from family and friends.
• Sleeping too much or too little.
• Feeling tired most of the time.
• Gaining or losing a significant amount of weight.
• Making statements such as these:
  • “I can’t go on any longer.”
  • “I hate this life.”
  • “There’s no point to this stupid life.”
  • “I want to die.”
  • –And any mention of suicide–
• Writing notes or poems about suicide or death.

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The art work / Cartoons series Mental Health Humor cartoons are not to be edited or
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Permission granted for non-profit use by artist: Chato B. Stewart.

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Thanks for dropping by:

Chato B. Stewart
Mental Health Advocate - Cartoonist - and a few other things!
http://www.mentalhealthhumor.com

“Using Humor to Heal and Educate with badly drawn cartoons.”

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