Council agrees to spend $3M on High Level suicide barrier

City council has approved $3 million to pay for suicide-prevention barriers on Edmonton’s High Level Bridge.

• City moves forward to curb High Level Bridge suicides
• City considers suicide prevention on High Level Bridge
• Designs for High Level Bridge suicide prevention barriers revealed
• Fence-in High Level Bridge, pleads husband of suicide victim

At City Hall on Wednesday, several councillors said they decided to fund the barriers after hearing the personal stories of those who once considered suicide, or who lost friends or family.

For some, the stories and research collected during the consultation period were decision changers.

Coun. Scott McKeen admitted he was doubtful when the idea was first raised in council.

“The reason I was skeptical is, I thought the investment [should be] more in health care, more in community engagement – trying to get these people out of their homes and active – and so how does a barrier really help? I just thought they would find another way.”

But he changed his mind when he saw research from other cities that showed the number of suicides dropped when barriers were put up.

He thinks barriers could make a life-saving difference for those who decide suddenly to end their lives.

“I heard one story from someone who had made a decision … wanting to commit suicide within a few hours and being at the High Level and talked out of it – and I think those are the people we’re probably talking about,” McKeen said.

“There’s a sharp increase in grief for some reason and they go in a matter of hours or days and go right to that – and the evidence is if you can stop that, you can save lives.”

But McKeen said barriers alone are not enough, noting the community and province should still play key roles in mental health care and suicide prevention.

In August, councillors on the community services committee debated four possible designs for the barriers, ultimately deciding to move forward with a barrier made of stainless steel mesh and horizontal tension cables.

According to the city’s medical examiner, there were 14 suicides on or near the bridge in 2012.