Limited access and other forms of restrictions in infamous 'suicide hotspots' were able to cut suicide deaths by 90 percent, a new research proved.
Suicide greatly affects young people. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported suicide as the second leading cause of death among 15 to 29 years old. Worldwide and across all age groups, there are over 800,000 people who die from suicide annually.
A recent study looked into notorious suicide hotspots such as Paris' Eiffel Tower, Toronto's Prince Edward Viaduct and San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. The findings show that installing warning signs and telephones in the area can significantly reduce the number of unnecessary deaths. These act as lifelines that can save lives.
Research leader Jane Pirkis from the University of Melbourne wrote that simple intervention measures can save lives. Seeing signs of hope and encouragement, and an open line for communication, can help buy time for suicidal people to reconsider their tragic actions.
Related studies show suicides are more impulsive than premeditated. Some may think that putting up a fence will not stop a determined suicidal person to take his own life, but a short delay in his actions can open an opportunity for other people to intervene.
Pirkin's team looked into 18 studies wherein forms of intervention played a significant role in reducing the number of suicides in the spots mentioned. For example, blocked access to suicide hotspots resulted in 93 percent reduction in suicide attempts. Although when limited access and other forms of intervention were combined together, the suicide rate dropped by 91 percent.
"Suicide attempts at these sites are often fatal and attract high profile media attention which can lead to copycat acts," said Pirkis.
Ruth Sutherland from Samaritans, a charity that offers emotional support, verified the research by reinstating that the signs interrupt a person's action long enough to do a double take and seek help.
Reasons for suicide vary from person to person. There is no single cause and cure. However, with the result of the new research in mind, these hotspots won't be known for suicides anymore.
