Every year, 20 or more families
in the Bay Area are ripped apart by suicide from the Golden
Gate Bridge. Many emotions surround this experience –
anger, pain, and the nagging “what if” questions
that haunt many of the loved ones of suicide victims. But bridge
suicides have one additional tragic element—almost all
are preventable.
In April 2006 Althea provided seed capital for an initiative
that would educate the public and conduct research about the
construction of a safety barrier (suicide prevention rail) on
the Golden Gate Bridge. In addition to providing seed capital
we actively supported the formation of the Bridge Rail Foundation
by helping to develop its mission, strategic plan, website and
formation of a board which now includes individuals who have
had family and friends jump from the bridge and experts in mental
health, law and public affairs.
On Friday 11th October 2008, the board of the Golden Gate Bridge,
Highway and Transportation District voted 14-1 in favor or a
Stainless-steel netting to be placed beneath the Golden Gate
Bridge to catch would-be suicide jumpers.
http://www.bridgerail.org/ |
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An exhibit of over 1300 shoes, commemorating the lives lost
to suicide at the Golden Gate.
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