Not so Golden
I have to admit that at one point I had an obsession with the Golden Gate Bridge suicides. This brought my attention to the on going debate over a suicide barrier. There was a study done on 515 people who attempted suicide on the Golden Gate but were restrained. Around 94% never made any further attempts. So I became curious to what made that bridge so desirable...what kind of people chose that destination...and were their deaths preventable.
After much pondering, I've come to a conclusion, there are two types of suiciders. There are those who have been battling various demons and they can't find any refuge. They are slowly dying and they are aware of it. So they decide to take control the only way they know how, end the pain forever. They carefully plan their exit and intervention is highly unlikely. And then there are those who are highly impulsive. They've probably been experiencing trying times and the future seems bleak. When suddenly, something happens or is said that causes them to believe it's better to end it all. It is this group that invention can be highly effective. I believe that the 515 were the impulsive. They displayed subliminal warning signals because deep down, they weren't 100% sure this was the answer. I believe that the first group are more purposeful with their lethal intentions. They walk to the most accessible and lethal spot and without hesitation, throw themselves into the void.
So when you look at this philosophy, a suicide barrier is very controversial. It will cost millions just to fund the research. A huge suspension bridge is sensitive to the wind effects of structural changes. Would spending this huge amount of money really impact the suicide rates? When you look around your own community, you see that there are plenty of structures to throw yourself off of. I live in a city that has the Mississippi winding through it. The River has multiple bridges crossing it. If I really wanted to do myself in, I don't need the Golden Gate Bridge. I think if people truly want to end it, they will find whatever resources to satisfy their needs.
Dear Golden Gate Bridge
I don’t need you anymore
I was blinded by the publicity
Because you have the numbers
You think you can be destiny
Publicly, there may be no other
Privately, you’re all the same
Life suddenly becomes dangerous
sjj 3/6/2007
After much pondering, I've come to a conclusion, there are two types of suiciders. There are those who have been battling various demons and they can't find any refuge. They are slowly dying and they are aware of it. So they decide to take control the only way they know how, end the pain forever. They carefully plan their exit and intervention is highly unlikely. And then there are those who are highly impulsive. They've probably been experiencing trying times and the future seems bleak. When suddenly, something happens or is said that causes them to believe it's better to end it all. It is this group that invention can be highly effective. I believe that the 515 were the impulsive. They displayed subliminal warning signals because deep down, they weren't 100% sure this was the answer. I believe that the first group are more purposeful with their lethal intentions. They walk to the most accessible and lethal spot and without hesitation, throw themselves into the void.
So when you look at this philosophy, a suicide barrier is very controversial. It will cost millions just to fund the research. A huge suspension bridge is sensitive to the wind effects of structural changes. Would spending this huge amount of money really impact the suicide rates? When you look around your own community, you see that there are plenty of structures to throw yourself off of. I live in a city that has the Mississippi winding through it. The River has multiple bridges crossing it. If I really wanted to do myself in, I don't need the Golden Gate Bridge. I think if people truly want to end it, they will find whatever resources to satisfy their needs.
Dear Golden Gate Bridge
I don’t need you anymore
I was blinded by the publicity
Because you have the numbers
You think you can be destiny
Publicly, there may be no other
Privately, you’re all the same
Life suddenly becomes dangerous
sjj 3/6/2007
posted by Sara | 8:54 AM
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