Gothamist: Suicide Phones for Hudson Bridges, But Not For NYC

DaveH

Mon, 21 May 2007 00:47:40 -0500

I don't know Robin, but I always thought that the majority of suicide attempts were actually half-hearted cries for attention. And jumping off a bridge seems like a very public and contemplative way to kill onesself. I think the NYPD has a very high rate of convincing people that there are other and better solutions to their problems. If putting a phone on a bridge that someone might be tempted to pick up, it seems like a pretty reasonable form of outreach to the distraught or mentally ill. "A Long Way Down" by Nick Hornby is a very funny and poignant book about a group of people who stumble upon each other's planned simultaneous suicide attempts at jumping from a London rooftop. I think its point is just the fact that even sharing a miserable life with a group of people can make living it worthwhile. So who knows? A phone couldn't hurt.

robin.g

Mon, 21 May 2007 00:06:56 -0500

Once someone decides that suicide is the way out, will they really pick up a phone?

Steven

Sun, 20 May 2007 21:52:21 -0500

Just a couple of months someone tried to jump off the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge which is just north of the Bear Mountain Bridge.

Still Not Amused

Sun, 20 May 2007 16:52:02 -0500

I don't see the difference between a chain-link fence, & a phone ! If someone has that type of mindset is there any deterrent stopping them from doing something they feel will exercise the "Demons" in their head ? I don't think so, Sure you may stop them this time but will their be anyone around the next time they have a breakdown .

Brightliner

Sun, 20 May 2007 13:05:47 -0500

Too bad they didn't do that instead of spending a ton of money putting up chain-link fencing on the Manhattan Bridge and ruining the view.