Restricting Accessing to Lethal Means - Research Findings

“Where Are They Now A Follow-up Study of Suicide Attempters from the Golden Gate Bridge”

Richard Seiden, a research professor from UC Berkeley published “Where Are They Now: A Follow-up Study of Suicide Attempters from the Golden Gate Bridge” in 1978. Using hospital records and California Highway Patrol records, Richard tracked 515 people from 1937 to 1971 who were stopped by the California Highway Patrol from jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge and were subsequently admitted to a local psychiatric facility. Richard then searched for each individual’s death certificate records. He found that 94% of people were either still alive or died in a manner other than suicide. This evidence disproved the idea that suicidal people are so determined to die that, if stopped, they will simply find and use another lethal means.

“Analysis of the cost effectiveness of a suicide barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge”

Dayna Whitmer, a Bridge Rail Foundation board member, lost her son, Matthew, in 2007 from the Golden Gate Bridge. She co-authored a study “Analysis of the cost effectiveness of a suicide barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge” in 2013. Based on 70 years of Golden Gate Bridge suicide data and national suicide and economic data trends, Her research findings conclude: “Approximately 286 lives would be saved over a 20-year period at an average cost/life of approximately $180,419 i.e., roughly 6% of US Department of Transportation minimal VSL estimate ($3.2 million)” (Whitmer et al, 2013).