Around 30 people jump off of the Golden Gate Bridge per year. Between the years 1937 and 2012, an estimated amount of 1,400 bodies were found and recovered. The bridge is about 245 feet above the water from its deck. As of 2013, around 35 people have survived these jumps. On the other hand, the freezing water of San Francisco Bay can instantly kill. Hypothermia, impact trauma, drowning, and internal injuries are all common causes of these deaths. A system called the Suicide Deterrent, also known as the Safety Net, was built to keep this from happening. The Bridge views and appearance were taken into consideration during the construction of the net. Also, maintenance and daily operations were important for the net placement. The bridge net construction started in the year 2018. The net is twenty feet below the walking ground of the bridge and extended twenty feet out to prevent jumping. The net will cover around 95 percent of the bridge surface. The net is also made out of a hard metal substance to prevent falling through. However, jumping onto the platform can result in significant sprains, bruises, and possible broken bones. The marine-grade stainless steel can withstand harsh conditions such as salt water, fog, and strong winds.
“The amount of net that we’re installing is the equivalent of seven football fields,” Cosulich-Schwartz told CNN.
This idea is not unique to California. A safety net has been installed in various locations around the world. For almost 20 years, they have been proven effective concerning attempted suicides. In Bern, Switzerland one has been placed on the Bern Muenster Terrace.
Research has proven that young people are among the most vulnerable to these attempts. In correlation to that fact, a safety net was also placed on the campus of Cornell University in the state of New York.
Although the net will have great impacts on saving those who are thinking about taking their lives, it comes at a cost. The net cost totaled 224 million dollars including construction, design, and environmental expenses. Two-thirds of the money is from federal funds by the California Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. One-third of the funds are from the Mental Health Services Act. Firefighters in the area are being trained to be able to rescue those on the new contraption. They need to know how to climb down and back up.
The bridge was officially finished on Jan. 1st, 2024, and has already worked as intended.
January is also known as the National Mental Wellness Month. Since 1949, the month has been an advocate for the cause. Maintaining mental wellness is vitally important for the connection between the mind and body. The mind not only functions in our mental functions but it serves as one of the most powerful effects on our physical health. Failing to care for ourselves can limit our ability to flourish and reach our full potential. Some examples of this include anxiety, chronic stress, depression, or substance abuse.