Something went wrong the night of September 25th, 2000. Alone, 19-year-old Kevin Hines walked out onto the towering Golden Gate Bridge. He snapped a photograph for a couple of smiling tourists; then turned, leapt 220 feet to the jagged water below—and survived.
The magnificent Golden Gate Bridge—like Santa Barbara’s own Cold Spring Bridge—is known as a suicide magnet. Few are aware that, since its completion in 1937, it has attracted approximately 1,300 jumpers, making it the world’s number one site for suicide.i But then, few know that suicide takes more than 31,000 lives each year in the U.S.ii The people of The Glendon Association are working hard to change that. They recognize the anomaly of Kevin’s suicide attempt, not in his survival, but in the fact that so few preventative measures were taken by his society to protect him—and the other 5 million living Americans who have attempted to take their own lives.
Did you know that:
60 to 90% of all suicidal behaviors are associated with some form of mental illness and/or substance use disorder.
Many people believe that abuse, addiction, and suicidal tendencies are moral failings and that individuals are fully capable of controlling these behaviors.
Historically, the stigma associated with mental illness, substance use disorders and suicide has contributed to the inadequate funding available for preventive services and to low insurance reimbursements for treatments.
When concerned that someone you know may be suicidal, look for these Warning Signs:
1. Someone threatening to or looking for ways to hurt themselves: seeking access to pills, weapons
2. Talking or writing about suicide; preoccupation with death or dying
3. Anger, seeking revenge
4. Recklessness
5. Hopelessness or despair
6 Increasing alcohol and/or drug use
7. Withdrawing from friends, family, society
8. Loss of interest in hobbies, work, school
9. Dramatic changes in mood, behavior and/or personal appearance
10. Anxiety, agitation, trouble eating or sleeping
The magnificent Golden Gate Bridge—like Santa Barbara’s own Cold Spring Bridge—is known as a suicide magnet. Few are aware that, since its completion in 1937, it has attracted approximately 1,300 jumpers, making it the world’s number one site for suicide.i But then, few know that suicide takes more than 31,000 lives each year in the U.S.ii The people of The Glendon Association are working hard to change that. They recognize the anomaly of Kevin’s suicide attempt, not in his survival, but in the fact that so few preventative measures were taken by his society to protect him—and the other 5 million living Americans who have attempted to take their own lives.
Did you know that:
60 to 90% of all suicidal behaviors are associated with some form of mental illness and/or substance use disorder.
Many people believe that abuse, addiction, and suicidal tendencies are moral failings and that individuals are fully capable of controlling these behaviors.
Historically, the stigma associated with mental illness, substance use disorders and suicide has contributed to the inadequate funding available for preventive services and to low insurance reimbursements for treatments.
When concerned that someone you know may be suicidal, look for these Warning Signs:
1. Someone threatening to or looking for ways to hurt themselves: seeking access to pills, weapons
2. Talking or writing about suicide; preoccupation with death or dying
3. Anger, seeking revenge
4. Recklessness
5. Hopelessness or despair
6 Increasing alcohol and/or drug use
7. Withdrawing from friends, family, society
8. Loss of interest in hobbies, work, school
9. Dramatic changes in mood, behavior and/or personal appearance
10. Anxiety, agitation, trouble eating or sleeping
