'We want to try to save people's lives': Group calls for barriers on Hillsborough Bridge

A group of residents in P.E.I. is calling for barriers on the Hillsborough Bridge, as well as the possibility of other safety measures including security cameras and an emergency phone.

"We want to try to save people's lives," said Coady McKinnon, a member of the group. "We don't want to see this happen to anybody else."

The group started after a post to the #HowManyWade Facebook page, which is part of a campaign to improve mental health services on P.E.I.

McKinnon said there are now 21 members from across the Island in the group.

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Focus on barriers

Sarah Stewart-Clark, the founder of the #HowManyWade campaign and a member of the group, said the group is now researching "evidence-based changes" that could prevent suicides from the bridge.

"We'll look into all of those suggestions that people have made. It's really about listening to families and the general public and seeing if there's evidence behind the suggestions that they're making," she said.

Currently, she said, one of the group's main focuses is to have barriers installed, which she said research indicates can be one of the most effective ways to reduce suicides on a bridge.

"We're going to explore every option and see what might work for the Hillsborough Bridge," she said, adding the group is in early stages.

The group would also like to see more security cameras, which could provide information to family and police, as well as an emergency phone.

Barriers work: CMHA, chief coroner

P.E.I.'s chief coroner Dr. Desmond Colohan didn't provide CBC with the number of suicides from bridges in P.E.I., but said they are unusual.

"Suicide barriers do work," he said in an email.

Amanda Brazil, the director of programs and policy for the Canadian Mental Health Association P.E.I. Division, said she supports the idea of adding a barrier to the bridge.

"Our perspective is if it can save a couple of people each year then it's well worth it. It's well worth that one time investment to have sort of longer term impact, absolutely. And it's something that we've been talking about here."

She said the research shows that barriers can be effective.

"What it also does is it gives them an opportunity to stop and reflect on what they're doing because a lot of people that are in suicide crisis are in that moment and that moment is not very long lived," she said.

"If somebody can get through that moment, the research states that between 85 and 95 per cent of people who make an attempt will not go on to die by suicide."

One piece of the puzzle

Stewart-Clark, MacKinnon and Brazil all agree that prevention measures on the bridge are just one piece when it comes to suicide prevention.

"This will prevent people from being able to do this, but it doesn't prevent suicidality, it doesn't change people's struggles," said Brazil.

"We have to compliment a move like this with crisis intervention, access to mental health, training and education," she said. "We still have to do some work in dealing with the why."

CMHA is working with the province on a suicide prevention strategy, which Brazil hopes will be released in the spring.

Seeking support from municipal, provincial officials

The group said it has reached out to officials from the City of Charlottetown and the Town of Stratford, as well as local MLAs and police forces.

Charlottetown city councillor Mitchell Tweel supports the idea and is a member of the group. Stratford-Kinlock MLA and PC Party Leader James Aylward has said he supports the initiative.

Stewart-Clark said the group will bring a formal pitch to the province when it has gathered all the information it needs.

"We'll wait until we have created a document that has evidence behind the request that we're making, and then we will proceed to share that information with government, with other stakeholders, and try to have a discussion about what could be done," she said.

P.E.I.'s Minister of Transportation Paula Biggar did receive an email from the group.

"She did respond and acknowledged the importance of working together as a community to ensure a variety of strategies toward prevention and that as minister, she would be willing to hear the group's concerns," said an email statement from her department.

Anyone needing emotional support, crisis intervention or help with problem solving in P.E.I. can contact The Island Helpline at 1-800-218-2885, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information about mental health services on P.E.I., find resources from Health PEI here, or from the Canadian Mental Health Association P.E.I. Division here.

"It will get better and you will be okay," said McKinnon, who added he has had his own experiences with depression. "You have so much to live for and so many people that love you and care about you."

This story is part of an ongoing project CBC P.E.I. is doing on mental health services in the province. You can share your experiences with us here.

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