Suicide barriers to go up on Burrard Bridge this week

Burrard Bridge suicide prevention fencing to be installed this week

An artist's rendering of the way the Burrard Bridge will look after the suicide barriers are installed (City of Vancouver)

The City of Vancouver will begin installing controversial suicide prevention fencing along the Burrard Bridge this week.

The new fencing has not been universally supported, but Vancouver Coastal Health says the new barriers will save lives.

“We applaud the City of Vancouver for adding the barriers,” said Dr. Emily Newhouse. “Research shows that suicide attempts from bridges are impulsive. Generally, if someone is prevented from jumping from a bridge, they don’t try other means of killing themselves.”

Several designs considered

The City and a stakeholder group considered several designs for the project, including netting below the bridge, glass fencing, and several other fencing designs.

A picket fence design with heritage style pedestrian lamp posts was chosen as the final design.

Councillor against suicide barriers

Earlier this year, Coun. George Affleck introduced a motion to stop the installation of the suicide barriers because he felt their construction would be unsightly.

Heritage Vancouver also felt the barriers would drastically change the appearance of the bridge.

“It is our fear that these new interventions will irrevocably alter the appearance of this much-loved landmark heritage structure,” Heritage Vancouver wrote in a letter addressed to Mayor Gregor Robertson.

A petition was created on change.org to stop the fencing from going up, garnering 2,450 supporters. However, the City of Vancouver rejected Affleck’s motion in late May.

‘A new lease on life’

Donald Luxton, heritage consultant for the Burrard Bridge’s rehabilitation, says the new features will enhance the structure.

“This landmark rehabilitation project will enhance the Burrard Bridge’s condition into the future, as well as maintain and enhance its heritage features,” said Luxton.

“The most significant addition for heritage advocates is the restoration of the long-lost pedestrian light fixtures. When the work is complete this venerable heritage bridge– one of the few true Art Deco bridges in the world– will have a new lease on life.”

Upgrades on the Burrard Bridge began earlier this year and are expected to be completed in mid-2017.

Suicide warning signs

Sudden marked changes in behaviour or appearance
Talking, joking, writing, or becoming increasingly preoccupied with suicide and death
Preparations for death, such as giving away possessions
A previous suicide attempt
Decline in school or work attendance/performance
Expressions of a sense of hopelessness and/or helplessness
Sudden losses e.g. financial, relationship break-up, death of a loved one
Sudden changes in eating and sleeping patterns

How you can help

Ask the person directly if they are considering suicide. This will not ‘give them the idea’, but it does show that you care and are taking them seriously
Listen and provide non-judgmental support
Arrange for the person to get help, whether from a crisis centre, hospital, mental health centre, or another local resource
Do not leave a suicidal person alone
Do not agree to keep another person’s suicidal thoughts a secret

Where to go for help

If you are having suicidal thoughts, or feel affected by the issues in this story, consider getting help through the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention.

You can find advice and contact a crisis centre in your area at this link: suicideprevention.ca. Crisis centres are available throughout Canada, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.