Suicide by jumping and accessibility of bridges: results from a national survey in Switzerland

Reisch, Thomas; Schuster, Ursula; Michel, Konrad (2007). Suicide by jumping and accessibility of bridges: results from a national survey in Switzerland. Suicide and life-threatening behavior, 37(6), pp. 681-7. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley 10.1521/suli.2007.37.6.681

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Rates of suicide by jumping show large regional differences. Barriers on bridges may prevent suicides but also may lead to a substitution of jumping site or method. The aim of our study was to compare suicide data from regions with and without suicide bridges and to estimate the effects on method and site substitution if bridges were to be secured. In a national survey, suicide data for the years 1990 to 2003 were collected. Regions with high rates of bridge suicides were identified and compared with regions with low rates, and the analysis revealed that only about one third of the individuals would be expected to jump from buildings or other structures if no bridge was available. The results suggest no method substitution for women. For men, a trend of a substituting jumping by overdosing in regions without suicide bridges was found. We conclude that restricted access to suicide bridges will not automatically lead suicidal individuals to choose another jumping site or suicide method. The results support the notion that securing bridges may save lives.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	04 Faculty of Medicine > University Psychiatric Services > University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy > Management 04 Faculty of Medicine > University Psychiatric Services > University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy > UPD Murtenstrasse
UniBE Contributor:	Reisch, Thomas, Michel, Konrad
ISSN:	0363-0234
ISBN:	18275374
Publisher:	Wiley
Language:	English
Submitter:	Factscience Import
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2013 14:55
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2022 14:17
Publisher DOI:	10.1521/suli.2007.37.6.681
PubMed ID:	18275374
Web of Science ID:	000251823500009
URI:	https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/23292 (FactScience: 41065)