Work

Effect of barriers on the Clifton suspension bridge, England, on local patterns of suicide: implications for prevention

Year: 2007

Type: article

Abstract: We assessed the effect of the installation of barriers on the Clifton suspension bridge, Bristol, England, in 1998 on local suicides by jumping. Deaths from this bridge halved from 8.2 per year (1994-1998) to 4.0 per year (1999-2003; P=0.008). Although 90% of the suicides from the bridge were by males, there was no evidence of an increase in male suicide by jumping from other sites in the Bristol area after the erection of the barriers. This study provides evidence for the effectiveness of barriers on bridges in preventing site-specific suicides and suicides by jumping overall in the surrounding area.

Source: The British Journal of Psychiatry

DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.106.027136

Authors: Olive Bennewith, Mike Nowers, David Gunnell

Institutions: University of Bristol, Cossham Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, World Health Organization