This has been a problem on the SF gate bridge suicide problem

[Ichingcarpenter]

[Drum]

1. Oy.

Tragic irony, that.

[seriousstan]

2. I don't think an out of service phone is the main problem.

Any peripheral problem is just an excuse.

[funflower]

7. Wow. You're incredibly insensitive and uninformed about suicide.

Suicide victims are not looking for an "excuse" to end their lives. Most of them suffer from a treatable medical condition, such as major depression or bipolar disorder. They didn't ask for their disease, which massively impairs their brain function, destroying their ability to make decisions. In the worst cases, this can lead to suicide or other self-destructive behaviors. They didn't choose it, and they didn't "catch" it as a result of moral inferiority or unfitness to live a healthy long life. Often, major depression is the result of extreme and prolonged stress combined with shortages of certain chemicals in the brain (yes, Virginia, there is such a thing as a "chemical imbalance." Sufferers who attempt or complete suicide have often fought this torturous and debilitating disease for many years, sometimes for most of their lives. The good news is that medical science is making rapid progress in understanding and treating these life-threatening conditions.


So, yes. It's a great idea to reach out to the desperate people who are considering throwing themselves off of the Golden Gate Bridge and try to offer them one more chance at life and health. And, yes, it's tragic that lives may be lost due to a malfunctioning phone. But, HELL NO, those poor people are NOT looking for an "excuse" to die.

[EFerrari]

3. The Stupid is winning.

[Ichingcarpenter]

4. If they had a second thought

that sorta of ended it.

[EFerrari]

5. I'm afraid to ask but, is this a current situation?

Geezus. How hard is it to keep one fucking phone working. It's worse than when Suicide Prevention puts you on hold.

[Ichingcarpenter]

6. Well, it stopped me cause I don't have a cell phone

like most people who don't have friends and are despondent.....

Actually, I dealt in a suicide call center in my youth......
I have no idea if they fix it but does really say there is
something broke in the system.

[Duer 157099]

8. Honestly, I think that sign should say

"The consequences of jumping from this bridge MIGHT NOT be fatal but will be tragic" - I think that would be more of a deterant than saying it WILL be fatal. Sheesh.