ST PAUL, Minn. - A unique partnership between the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota Department of Health is hoping to prevent more suicides. The agencies are looking for ways to build barriers on more bridges.
St. Paul's Smith Avenue high bridge, for example, is one of the most recognizable landmarks in this part of the Mississippi River valley. Last year, six people jumped to their deaths from it, and several others tried.
"We know that when you put a barrier up, we reduce the risk there's going to be a suicide at that particular location. And significantly," said Daniel Reidenberg of Save.org. He's a nationally renown expert on suicides, and he supports the idea of erecting mores barriers for those walking across the High Bridge.
"In fact, what we know from research is, if you put up a barrier on bridge or a top of a building, it's far less likely a person's even going to another building or to another bridge."
MnDOT isn't just looking at this bridge. It has a task force looking at many others, like the Wabasha Bridge where, on Thursday, the Saint Paul Fire Department rescued a man who'd jumped.
"If somebody makes a call, they're far less likely to actually go ahead and attempt suicide, let alone die by suicide," said Reidenberg.
That call to make is the Minnesota Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). There are several other mental health resources available to Minnesotans. For more information, click here.