I address the myth of inevitable suicide in this post. Im here. The 265-foot plunge off the most famous bridge in the world was right in his wheelhouse, until it wasnt. Had medical intervention on the second. The Golden Gate Bridge is the number one suicide site in the world. Obviously, I failed. Photos purchased from Fotolia.com. True or false is a perception that changes from person to person. In Toronto, the barrier at the Bloor Viaduct did not reduce the number of people who died of suicide by jumping in the city; it just moved them to other locations. I want you to know you are loveable and precious. So in a couple days with no vehicle no money and no job, Im just supposed to trudge on, because life is precious or whatever other placating device people Banty about? Not having the courage to fulfill my plan, I checked into treatment centers and each time I checked out I sank into suicidal depression again. Syd, Ive always loved you from the bottom of my heart, since the minute I saw your eyes open. ChiMaxx, thank you for writing and for raising important points in your comment. How could I have been so stupid? It is always wonderful to hear from someone who made it out to the other side. After he was rescued, he continued to live, and lives still, serving as a suicide prevention advocate at the national level. A vigil was held last week for West in Pleasanton. Its a really simple concept. There is a strength within you. Thats why I searched for answers and I found this site. I am hopeful that similar results will be found after the suicide barrier at the Golden Gate bridge is in place. KCBS IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF CBS BROADCASTING INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. When I arrived at the #FindSydneyWest vigil in Pleasanton, I said whoever is singing has a beautiful voice. Your comments are false. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. SF]. On the morning of September 30, 2020, Sydney took a ride share service to the Golden Gate Bridge, where she often went to jog, practice yoga, and exercise in nearby Crissy Field. suicide sometimes defies even the best efforts to thwart it, University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, http://www.SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources/#immediatehelp, If Only: Self-Blame After a Loved Ones Suicide, You Cant Do Everything: Limitations in Helping a Suicidal Person, a meta-analysis of numerous studies that looked at bridges suicide barriers, Generally, research into method substitution, 10 Things Not to Say to a Suicidal Person. But its possible theres not more you could have done. This is perhaps the best argument for preventing suicide. Footage in the area, according to a website the family recently set up in light of her disappearance, was blocked by fog and morning haze. He once tried to jump off the Aloha Tower in Honolulu only to be thwarted at the last minute by police. You can find a life worth living, too, if you set your mind to finding solutions. My family lied to me about basically everything relevant and valuable in life. "On Aug. 20, 1985, I jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge, and I survived." Ken Baldwin was 28 years old and had just started a family. Her Disappearance: Sydney West was a 19-year-old freshman at U.C. Her parents,Jay and Kimberly West,said their daughter liked visiting that bridge and would go to nearby Crissy Field to exercise. An estimated 1,600 people have committed suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, which has warnings but no barrier. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 2023 Audacy, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). Suicide isnt an option, keep telling yourself that. All theses years following, I did not feel good about myself, am reunited with my nephew, reading up on how to talk to him. Many self harm injuries, stitches. I wonder what psychotherapy he has tried. A good place to start is the Facebook group Live Through This. First published on January 25, 2021 / 11:03 AM. "Jump." That's the word Kevin Hines heard in his head on September 25, 2000, as he stood on the Golden Gate Bridge. But what if you dont want help? For those who are thinking about suicide, I know what happens after youre gone isnt part of the thought process, but believe me, you might end your pain, but the trajectory of pain caused to others is also insurmountable. Reports said West would often visit the bridge for runs, walks, and to take pictures. A couple hours. This case has always stuck with me because I am in my 20s and suffer from anxiety and depression. They then examine the demographic characteristics of those who commit suicide from the bridge as well as the fatal attraction of the Golden Gate Bridge. I fully expected to talk to her the next day, Jay West told KRON4. Required fields are marked *. The attempt was no cry for help. As a person who has tried countless times to end my life, even shooting myself in the head, we are stuck living with yet another feeling of failure when we fail and continue suffering. I am resigned to staying alive until I die in some other way. Her family launched a website,findsydneywest.com, that they hope will remind the community Sydney is still missing. It is wonderful that having children seems to have inoculated you against suicidal thoughts. They understand the battle with weight loss and a zillion other things but not suicide. The instant regret of jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge did not result in instant mental health recovery once Hines survived. West was last seen on the Golden Gate Bridge onSept. 30, 2020 just before 7 a.m., according to the San Francisco Police Department. Overall, a meta-analysis of numerous studies that looked at bridges suicide barriers found them to be effective. What, Im supposed to carry on with the HOPE that things MIGHT get better. "This will be the biggest jump of my life," he told her. For more information, click here. As 6 months passes where we have not seen or heard fromSydney, it becomes increasingly painful, her parents, Jay and Kimberly West, said in a statement provided to SFGATE. Since Sept. 30, there has been no activity on her phone or credit cards. Im wondering if youve seen the post If Only: Self-Blame After a Loved Ones Suicide. Has left me pretty much bankrupt and not willing to live. Wests parents confirmed in a new video released late Thursday she was last seen shortly before 7 a.m. on the Golden Gate Bridge. (findsydneywest.com) West was last seen on the morning of Sept. 30 on the iconic bridge. Video footage from the bridge has been carefully reviewed by investigators but due to foggy and smoky conditions camera views where obstructed making it impossible to tell her exact location on the bridge. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Obviously, the will to live does not reassert itself in everyone who has tried to die. West is 5'10" and slender at 130 pounds, with blue eyes and light brown hair. I also knew that there was no hope whatsoever for what was wrong with me. West, 20, grew up in Pleasanton, Calif. She was a star volleyball player at Foothill High School and loved singing at open mic nights. Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Golden Gate lacks a suicide barrier . Its death toll has since been surpassed only by the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge in China.. For more information, please see our My advice to you or to those considering suicide or attempted suicide, please THINK of your loved one, your family and friends. He managed to turn himself upright in the few seconds it took for him to hit the water; this way, he did not land on his head. Copyright 2013 Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW, All Rights Reserved. I was driving toward the Hoover Dam bypass bridge from Memphis over 4 years ago to jump off. After my attempt at suicide, I tried to find information about my feelings and what others were feeling. I just read your post. I am literally living day by day and full of guilt, regret and anger. Others need to respect the decision. PLEASANTON, Calif. (KRON) Nearly a year has gone by since a Bay Area college student, Sydney West, vanished in San Francisco. Thanks again for your thoughtful comment. Sergeant Kevin Briggs (also known as the Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge [1] [2]) is a California Highway Patrol officer noted for his work in suicide intervention, having dissuaded more than two hundred people from jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco Bay. But I have. A. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. I understand completely. As well, though, I believe I may have accidentally given myself something like ECT. I am sure your mum will be watching over you, so sad that she caused you so much pain, please seek help, you are precious, with love xxx. Im not sure that preventing suicide is such a noble act. In 2000, he actually did jump off the Golden Gate Bridge. Police do not necessarily believe there was foul play involved, according to an interview Rueca had with KRON4. But overall, the evidence is that prevention is not simply a temporary delay of death. San Francisco police and the Orange County Sheriffs Office in North Carolina did not immediately respond to a request for comment from SFGATE. But 10 years later, Im there again. Another possibility is that the instinct to live kicks in once someone comes close to dying. Kevin Briggs. Simply put unless you die the battle won or pain doesnt matter. Healthcare sucks, Government sucks, Law Enforcement Sucks, the economy sucks, the housing market, job, market, and prospects suck, no body likes me, including myself, and I really dont like anyone else either. She is from Chapel Hill, N.C. Sydney Harbour Bridge has a suicide prevention barrier. I am a three time attempt suicide survivor and it has been a year since my last attempt and the ideation has pretty much left me. He has no one else but me. I am suicidal have been for the past week. The four-second fall from the Golden Gate Bridge sends a person plunging . A view of the Golden Gate Bridge with San Francisco behind it in January 1947. But the cameras lost sight of her because of heavy fog, making it impossible to know what happened. Dressed in a blue sweatshirt, leggings and Vans slip-on sneakers, the 19-year-old college student last contacted her family the day before with a lengthy phone call to her dad, Jay West. I hear you. Thanks again. I would bet that most, if not all, had narcissistic mothers. I am dead broke, have exhausted both my savings and retirement stash, I am about to have my car repod and cant find a job. Sure if youve got someone/s to bail you out after your attempt, yeah youve got a reason to live. My name is Steven. After all, they were intent on dying. Same with divorce. Lately, the suicidal thoughts have permeated my brain. Although severe depression led him to jump off the bridge, Kevin Hines has stated: "The very second I let go, I knew I had made a big mistake." And these different medications can be combined at various dosages. Sydney Kaitlyn West, 19, was last seen near the Golden Gate Bridge around 6:45 a.m. on September 30, 2020. of the different medications. Anyone with information is asked to contact private investigator Scott Dudek at (925) 705-8328 or Dudek.associates@gmail.com. And half of people who die by suicide had attempted suicide at least once previously. 19-year-old Sydney West was last seen Sept. 30. She is described as standing 5'10", weighing about 130 pounds, with light brown hair and blue eyes and possibly wearing glasses. It is true that suicide sometimes defies even the best efforts to thwart it. More often than not, the crisis passes. Thank you for providing this site. Dr. Freedenthal also is an associate professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, and a psychotherapist and consultant in private practice. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. So, I have two choices: Miraculously stop all self harm and suicide attempts, or have to make sure they are 100% successful, because I cant stand the thought of long term in patient. I just hope that one day her family will get answers. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Sydneyhas not used her phone, social media or bank accounts since she disappeared. Dressed in a blue sweatshirt, leggings and Vans slip-on sneakers,. It was in 1984. r/redsox. My brother did the same in 2002. ive suffered depression for Years, 2 suicide attempts in 2008. Those two have shown some effectiveness at reducing suicidal ideation and behavior. The decision collapsed Rhodes sister's claim that her brother was murdered as cameraman Guzman should have been in a boat to pull her brother out of the water. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Tears ago, when my children were younger, I actually reached a point where I went beyond imagining the trauma and lifelong suffering, to my children; such was my pain. Sometimes, life just sucks and the pain of living is unbearable. The bridge is 225 feet high, and after a four-second fall, jumpers hit the water at a speed of 75mph, with a force equivalent to a lorry crashing into a wall. Some die instantly from internal injuries, while others . Its not always a change of mind when deciding not to jump its fear of failure, Hi Londa, The night before she disappeared (Sept. 29) she and her father Jay West had a lengthy phone conversation according to her family. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Berkeley. It is also possible she was wearing eyeglasses instead of contact lenses. :A Follow-up Study of Suicide Attempters fromthe Golden Gate Bridge.. I tried to commit suicide when I was 18. Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. It was apparently very foggy that morning. Press J to jump to the feed. This research, though 35 years old, still holds true. This is perhaps why only one of Rhodes' three small parachutes opened, doing nothing to slow him down. Sydney West never returned home, and has not been heard from since. Dec. 11, 2019 Updated: Dec. 12, 2019 8:06 a.m. 5. The sad thing is that, as I say in my letter, some of what your friend thinks and believes may actually be true, but his mind is probably also shutting him out of other truths that could balance out his pain. The story of Kevin Hines demonstrates the clarity that can finally appear when someones life is on the line. Hi Joan. I woke up on my own after my first attempt. Learn how your comment data is processed. And now I have the means to do it. As his wife described, without the weighted boots to keep him upright, Rhodes' body arched forward, eventually meeting the water face-first. Lets get real here life sucks and its hard but dont give up. Even though 2/3 are started by women, Virtually every article is written by women. Its complicated, Bay Area city cracks top 10 best for sleep: US News, JV talked about health struggles before disappearance, Martinez residents warned not to eat food grown in, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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West's family urges anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Scott Dudek, their investigator, who can be reached at 925-705-8328. I feel if I constantly feel like this over the years why dont I just die now? She talked to herfather on the phone the day before shewent missing. I am sure your little self felt am I not lovable enough but it was never about you, your mum was in pain and obviously thought you would be better off without her, but it is not a reflection on you, hard to accept as children are programmed to feel the centre of the world. I am not sure anybody really wants to die but I know many people, including myself, who are just sick and tired of living and want it to be over. God Bless You. Email: joshua.bote@sfgate.com and Signal: 707-742-3756, Six months after student's disappearance in San Francisco, family continues search, Horoscope for Saturday, 3/04/23 by Christopher Renstrom, Snowboarder dies at Tahoe ski resort following historic blizzard, West I-80 closed near Tahoe due to snow and 'multiple spinouts', Wife of Jeffrey Vandergrift issues somber update, Even Salesforces tower HQ isnt safe from office cuts, Inside Harry and Meghans favorite In-N-Out, Horoscope for Friday, 3/03/23 by Christopher Renstrom, Massive Lake Tahoe waterfront compound slashes price by $20M, This beloved East Bay hybrid cafe and bike shop is closing, Ja Morant says he'll get help after video shows apparent gun. I am so glad my attempt did not end in my death. And half of people who die by suicide had attempted suicide at least once previously. We talked for a long time. Rhodes also made the news in 1946 on a radio program called Truth or Consequences in which he was bizarrely tasked with living on a traffic island on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and La Brea for three weeks. The main principle to this is very simple Taking energy and harnessing it for the good and nothing can go wrong.. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe now to receive more just like it. It was the last thing Dusty did, and it was a failure, she said. She is 5 10 tall and weighs 130 pounds. Even so, bridge foreman Arthur Olson caught up with the stuntman as the crowd gathered, and grabbed him, but lost his grip, only succeeding in ripping free one of the harnesses. If you want to talk with someone immediately by phone, text, or chat, please check out the Resources page. The San Francisco Police Department's tip line can be reached at 415-575-4444. Therapists and doctors may help provide relief. I know you mean well, but I always feel I wished I never survived. Parenthood does not protect everyone, though. Has he tried cognitive behavior therapy? Any information could help so if you know anyone that was in that area around that time, please use contact information provided below. (felt good to be honest for once). [This comment was edited to abide by the Comments Policy. Ken Baldwin. They're asking anyone "who may have been walking, biking, running, who commute over the bridge particularly Wednesday mornings at that time" to share information. Sadly, your post is being used by some commenters to justify the Golden Gate Bridge net boondoggle. All rights reserved. Please enter valid email address to continue. Clad in two suits, weighted boots, football padding, another rubber suit and a football helmet that onlookers described as giving him a man-from-Mars look, Rhodes also had three parachutes on his back to ease his fall. : The Fate of Suicide Attempt Survivors, A Follow-up Study of Suicide Attempters from. Also, on the Resources page, I list a number of websites and other resources for people who have lost someone to suicide. Her Disappearance: Sydney West was a 19-year-old freshman at U.C. A missing person case has also been launched in Orange County, North Carolina, where West's family lives. America doesnt feed narcissistic people and men are more materialistic. We certainly do need to continue educating people about suicide prevention, including the reality that most people who survive a suicide attempt choose life afterwards. My failure as a person was responsible for my extreme step. January 25, 2021 / 11:03 AM Growing up Sydney was described as a sweet and goofy girl who wasnt afraid of being herself. They lied about every imaginable factor of surviving in life. None of us can. And its been a long term plan, for 35 years, but become refined in that time. For his big ticket to stardom, Rhodes was inspired by a circus performer named Frank Cushing who was plucked out of the bay the previous year after claiming that he had just leaped from the bridge, though no one was there to see it. Here I thought I just occasionally drank too much. For Kevin Hines, the will to live kicked in immediately. 2023 Audacy, Inc. All rights reserved. Her family is not giving up hope that she is still alive and remains determined to find her. There is only a 4ft safety rail separating the sidewalk from the void, and 98% of suicide attempts there have succeeded. He might also have refused to remove the gun from the home, too. I meant it, and I almost succeeded. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. Theres just a lack of evidence that shes not with us anyone, Jay West said. I think this message needs to be made more clear and put in ads, etc. At the age of 19, Kevin Hines attempted to commit suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, an all-too-common act that nearly always results in death. But then they are stopped from jumping. I lost my boyfriend to suicide two years ago and I have not been able to forgive myself. So when crazy people did crazy things in public places, excited crowds would gather. "No detail is too small," said her mother, Kimberly West. Your message here is a good one. Its great to hear that things are going well for you now. My sons father committed suicide and in the moments he was alive after shooting himself he kept saying sorry I shouldnt have never done this over and over. He already had refused to get help or to stop drinking. It may help,, Kind Regards, I know someone who hanged themself 18 months ago after a buildup of personal problems and much alcohol that night, but rescue services were called and saved him. Precious few people survive such a fall; the water about 200 feet below acts the same as concrete when a person lands on it at high speed. It happens. This site continues to distract me from my suicidal thoughts. Im about to be 22, medicated trying to live normal with constant suicidal thoughts. As the deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain draw attention to the public health crisis of depression and mental illness, Megyn Kelly TODAY welcomes Kevi. Until then, that instinct may have been obscured by depression, stress, hopelessness or despair. I feel fortunate and very grateful that so many individuals take their time and devote energy to sharing what they have experienced in their lives-it is so difficult for most people to understand in its wholeness-the value of life ..the science of every day living and the extreme depth and mystery and solstice to human beings, but one way to start understanding why people: innocents commit suicide is to acknowlege the exact factors of why a healthy person would just turn off the switch to existence.

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