In Portland Oregon, economic times are hard, elsewhere too I would assume. Good Jobs are hard find. Economic Futures are hard to predict. Sometimes social media support turns against you -- and against such grim, depressing backdrops, people sometimes feel: "There is just no way out of the 'trap' they find themselves in."
Sometimes in these drastic times, people without clear options, will act rashly and impulsively -- in hope of making the mental anguish -- simply go away. Far too often such rashness leads to permanent heartache, to those who "knew them back when." Before rash impulse, became permanent.
And far too often local resource managers are forced to put their spending priorities elsewhere ... on "other important stuff that really matters" ... not on making that Easy Way Out, a bit harder. A bit less accessible. A bit less viable ... an option.
‘Suicide Bridge’: 17 suicides from bridge with ‘majestic vista of city skyline’
by Tina Burgess, examiner.com -- June 9, 2013
The “Suicide Bridge” that entices suicide bridge jumpers because of its majestic view of Portland has claimed its latest victim; a 15-year-old girl. “The deaths sadden but no longer surprise those who live and work near the Vista Bridge, known colloquially citywide as ‘The Suicide Bridge.’ They have come to expect such tragedies at the structure, from which there is a majestic vista of the city skyline;
[...]
Since “The Vista Bridge” opened in 1926, an unrecorded amount of people have jumped from the bridge earning it its name “Suicide Bridge.” At least 17 people have killed themselves during the past decade.
Last September, signs with a suicide-prevention hotline number were placed on the “Suicide Bridge” and three suicide callers have used the suicide-prevention hotline since then. However, just three suicides in the last six months have shown that signs are not enough.
[...]
Portland’s city leaders understand the tragic and devastating consequences of the “Suicide Bridge” but to put “architecturally appropriate barriers on the bridge, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places” has become a matter of money. The city is tackling a $20 million budget shortfall and to place aesthetically pleasing barriers on the “Suicide Bridge” is projected to cost $2.5 million.
So preventing senseless, avoidable Deaths of distraught people comes down to a "
matter of money." Just like everything in these severely austere times, I guess.
Long as someone's Budget balances ... someday ... maybe, for a year or two. Mission accomplished.
Let the social-engineering cajoling and rationalizations begin ...
Portland group pushes for barriers on 'Suicide Bridge'
by hreesia Goff, examiner.com -- June 9, 2013
[...]
While some people don't think barriers will help prevent suicides, Kahn's group is still pushing to have them installed. The only issue the group and the city are facing is funding.
Portland is reportedly facing a $20 million budget shortfall, so they may have to seek a federal grant to cover the $2.5 million needed to install the barriers.
[...]
Portland Residents Push for Barrier at ‘Suicide Bridge’
by Steven Dubois, claimsjournal.com -- June 11, 2013
[...]
But the group, which formed after the January suicide, faces its own obstacle: money. City leaders, though receptive to the idea, are tackling a $20 million budget shortfall, and it is projected to cost $2.5 million to put architecturally appropriate barriers on the bridge, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The city may seek a federal grant.
“We certainly think of it as a high priority,” City Commissioner Steve Novick said. “But there’s a whole mess of competing priorities and not much money.”
The group must also overcome the skepticism of those who believe that people who are determined to kill themselves will find a way.
[...]
This is one place where the "rubber hits the road" -- when it comes to
the kind of Society we are willing to pay for. How we treat and respond to mental illness (quite curable) says a lot about who we are a Society and as a compassionate, caring People.
Far too often, the people get left in the dust by our stone-grinding economic machine, are simply viewed as, "acceptable losses." Especially to those doing the "downsizing."
In my opinion, this is not the kind of society we should aspire to be. The economic casualties of Austerity, surely amount to more than just debits or credits, on someone's carved-in-stone Balance sheet.
Because they are -- or once were -- valuable, unique, important threads in that fabric, we used to call Society. Members of the human family, that will be sorely missed by someone.