Cornell "Suicide School" NPR Story

[ugarte]

I'll throw it out there that I'd rather have the beautiful views from the bridges than save two lives a year: those views enrich the lives of tens of thousands each year.  Of course, what would be even better would be to have both: figure out some other way to identify potentially suicidal people before they get to the point of wanting to jump off a bridge.

UPDATE: http://www.theonion.com/articles/cornell-to-install-suicideprevention-nets,29262/

[kingpin248]

I'll throw it out there that I'd rather have the beautiful views from the bridges than save two lives a year: those views enrich the lives of tens of thousands each year.  Of course, what would be even better would be to have both: figure out some other way to identify potentially suicidal people before they get to the point of wanting to jump off a bridge.

UPDATE: http://www.theonion.com/articles/cornell-to-install-suicideprevention-nets,29262/

Update to the update: Gannett strenuously objects to the Onion piece.

[George64]

Bridge fences come down in time for graduation and Reunion Weekend.

[Trotsky]

Bridge fences come down in time for graduation and Reunion Weekend.

Good to see sanity half-restored.

[George64]

Bridge fences come down in time for graduation and Reunion Weekend.

Good to see sanity half-restored.

Well, apparently this doesn't yet apply to all bridges -- "Fall Creek Suspension Bridge closed June 10 - July 8. The suspension bridge over Fall Creek and the staircase on south end to University Avenue will be closed beginning Monday, June 10 through Monday, July 8 to complete work for the Bridge Means Restriction project."

[Rosey]

Bridge fences come down in time for graduation and Reunion Weekend.

Good to see sanity half-restored.

Well, apparently this doesn't yet apply to all bridges -- "Fall Creek Suspension Bridge closed June 10 - July 8. The suspension bridge over Fall Creek and the staircase on south end to University Avenue will be closed beginning Monday, June 10 through Monday, July 8 to complete work for the Bridge Means Restriction project."

I hope this means the suicide barriers on that bridge are coming down, too: that view has been ruined for at least as long as I have been affiliated with Cornell. Anyone know when those barriers went up? The restoration of that view would be magical.

[Trotsky]

I hope this means the suicide barriers on that bridge are coming down, too: that view has been ruined for at least as long as I have been affiliated with Cornell. Anyone know when those barriers went up? The restoration of that view would be magical.

They did not exist in 1986.  I recall seeing them for the first time on a hockey trip and thinking, "Holy shit.  That's the ugliest thing I have ever seen."

Possibly third to the death of the elms and the rape of the Ag quad as the worst thing to happen to the campus.

[George64]

I hope this means the suicide barriers on that bridge are coming down, too: that view has been ruined for at least as long as I have been affiliated with Cornell. Anyone know when those barriers went up? The restoration of that view would be magical.

From the Chronicle, August 23, 2012: "Phase 1 involves simultaneous work on the Stone Arch Bridge, Trolley Bridge and Thurston Avenue Bridge. Phase 2 entails installation on two Stewart Avenue bridges and Beebe Dam Bridge.  These bridges will have horizontal nets installed underneath them, extending about 15 feet out on both sides. The nets are made of 3-millimeter steel cables spaced 5.5 inches apart.  Phase 3 involves the Suspension Bridge, which, unlike the other bridges, will be wrapped in the steel mesh. "The nature of a suspension bridge is much different from a truss bridge," Keefe said. "It moves, up and down and horizontally. Due to the structure, we couldn't do a below-deck system. That's why we went with this system; I call it a 'sock.' It basically wraps the bridge itself."

architectural renderings of suicide barriers

It appears that once the steel mesh is installed, the present barriers will be removed.  I think that they were installed in the mid-70s.

[jtwcornell91]

architectural renderings of suicide barriers

Hey, slide 5 is from Bern! B-] Of course I remember a tour guide telling me the nets were to keep jumpers from landing in the neighborhood below, not to save them from dying.

[George64]

I think this whole fence thing is just a complete over reaction, a fence might take away the impulse but if someone has enough mental issues to want to commit suicide, will a fence really stop them?

Apparently not.

[billhoward]

I think this whole fence thing is just a complete over reaction, a fence might take away the impulse but if someone has enough mental issues to want to commit suicide, will a fence really stop them?

Research says yes. That suicidal impulses are very often... impulsive. There are some people who attempt suicide until they succeed but many who are deterred get the help that they need.

I've the same or similar research as Ugarte. Skorton has, too, and has mentioned that barricades and also the Call for Help signs on the bridges and also in the restroom stalls (they seem to have replaced graffiti) do have some effect. People who call for help, are talked down, or interrupted don't always try again.

[RatushnyFan]

A very different type of suicide involving Cornell professor Sandy Bem.  Unusual access to a very personal decision.Sandy Bem

[RichH]

Since this thread started with a link to an NPR story, I'll note that within the past 10 days, there have been two such stories about MIT:

http://www.npr.org/2015/05/10/405520575/after-campus-suicides-building-community-with-a-simple-statement
http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2015/05/14/406727576/after-suicides-mit-works-to-relieve-student-pressure

[Rita]

my niece is now a freshman in high school and is starting to look at colleges.  I had lunch with her yesterday and it was a rare day when a teenager was in a chatty mood.  She has been researching colleges in the northeast and has been checking out the IVY league schools.  she wanted to know what was up with Cornell, the gorges and suicides. oh dear. I was not anticipating that discussion over lunch.

She is favoring (at least today) going to school in the city so she is intrigued by Columbia and UPENN.  You should have seen the look I got when I asked about Dartmouth.

for those of you who used to go to the Estero holiday tournament, this is my "little" red-headed niece who is now 8 months away from being able to legally drive.

[Robb]

my niece is now a freshman in high school and is starting to look at colleges.  I had lunch with her yesterday and it was a rare day when a teenager was in a chatty mood.  She has been researching colleges in the northeast and has been checking out the IVY league schools.  she wanted to know what was up with Cornell, the gorges and suicides. oh dear. I was not anticipating that discussion over lunch.

She is favoring (at least today) going to school in the city so she is intrigued by Columbia and UPENN.  You should have seen the look I got when I asked about Dartmouth.

for those of you who used to go to the Estero holiday tournament, this is my "little" red-headed niece who is now 8 months away from being able to legally drive.

When I travelled to Cornell's last Frozen Four appearance, I made a side trip to meet my 6-day old niece.  She's starting college this fall.  Cannot believe it has been that long.  And that ECAC teams have won 11% of the titles in that span.  Ugh.