2 Confederation Bridge suicides lead to renewed calls for barriers on P.E.I. bridges
‘How tragic is this,’ says woman who worked on province's 2018 prevention strategy
Warning: This story deals with suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, you can find resources for help at the bottom of this story.
Two men died last month after jumping off the Confederation Bridge, which connects Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick.
Officials say suicides on the 13-kilometre bridge are rare. But RCMP Cpl. Gavin Moore confirmed two suicides happened less than two weeks apart: on Sept. 16 at 8:15 a.m. and on Sept. 28 at 8:55 a.m.
"No criminality is suspected," Moore said in a statement to CBC News.
The deaths have people who work in mental health asking whether enough is being done to prevent these tragedies, and why recommendations from the province's suicide prevention strategy — released nearly six years ago — have not been implemented.
"I thought, how tragic is this, and two so close together," said Amanda Brazil, former director of programs and policy with the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Brazil worked with the province to develop its suicide prevention strategy, "The Building Blocks of Hope." It was released in 2018.
Page 16 of that strategy called for erecting barriers on the Hillsborough Bridge, which links Charlottetown and Stratford, and including signage and/or helpline phones at other sites including the North River Causeway to the west of Charlottetown.
Those recommendations didn't include the Confederation Bridge, which is a federal responsibility because it connects two provinces and forms part of the TransCanada Highway network.
But barriers were never put in place on the Hillsborough Bridge, despite the recommendations. Brazil wants to know why.
"Research has shown that if there are barriers in place, it will often give a person a moment to sort of stop and think, and you won't see them often go and find another place that they can jump from," she said.
"So it's really an opportunity to give people pause. And for that reason alone, it helps."
Brazil said she's confident barriers on the Confederation Bridge would make people think twice.
If you put up a barrier, it will prevent [deaths], it just will.— Amanda Brazil, former CMHA director of programs and policy
"If you put up a barrier, it will prevent [deaths], it just will," she said. "By putting up barriers on bridges, it demonstrates the government's commitment to the issue. It really speaks to how governments or jurisdictions take this really seriously."
24-7 monitoring
The operators of Confederation Bridge sent a brief statement in response to questions from CBC News.
"The bridge is monitored 24/7 via cameras as well as patrolled regularly throughout the day," the statement said in part. "The Strait Crossing staff is hard at work, ensuring that all travellers respect the rules so that residents and visitors can cross the bridge safely."
P.E.I.'s Department of Health and Wellness said in an emailed statement that it is committed to supporting suicide prevention strategies based on best practices and evidence.
"We remain dedicated to exploring possible solutions, including options for the Hillsborough Bridge, to help reduce suicide in our province," the statement read.
More people reaching out for help
People who work in mental health say more and more people are reaching out for help.
Julia Ramsay, director of community education and supports with the Canadian Mental Health Association, said it's important for people to know help is available, 24-7.
Ramsay also oversees the association's suicide prevention programs.
"It's always a tragedy to hear that somebody has taken their own life or has even had thoughts of suicide," Ramsay said from her office in Alberton.
"Life is really difficult for people and I think it's just increasingly getting more challenging, and so that's why we really need to ramp up our supports and... do that strengthening within the communities to ensure that anyone can help someone who's at risk."
Prince Edward Island's suicide rates remain below the national average. According to the Coroner's Office:
- 17 people died by suicide in 2018
- 20 in 2019
- 13 in 2020
- 21 in 2021
- 20 in 2022
Transport Canada, which oversees the operation of the Confederation Bridge, said Strait Crossing would be better positioned to answer questions about safety and security measures that are in place.
Suicide prevention on infrastructure is a complex issue that requires collaboration among multiple parties ...— Transport Canada
But the department added: "Suicide prevention on infrastructure is a complex issue that requires collaboration among multiple parties including local authorities, social workers, mental health organizations and bridge operators."
Brazil said barriers on bridges do save lives.
"I can tell you that the research out of Australia has shown that there were bridges that removed their barriers after a certain amount of years — and their rates of suicide by bridge radically increased."
If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:
- Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988.
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868. Live chat counselling on the website.
- Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre.
This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
