Suicide prevention barriers proposed for Granville Street Bridge in motion going to council

Content warning: The following story deals with the subject of suicide. If you or a loved one is at risk of self-harm, call the BC Crisis Centre at 988. Translation services are available.

A Vancouver city councillor is bringing forward a motion to install suicide prevention barriers on the Granville Street Bridge.

Coun. Christine Boyle says the bridge has seen a number of suicide attempts and deaths since 2019. She explains the Burrard Street Bridge, where barriers were put up in 2017, has seen zero deaths since fencing was installed.

“My hope is that we will see the same from the Granville Bridge, that installing this fencing will make a difference in protecting the lives of those who are in crisis, and also making intervention safer for first responders,” Boyle told CityNews Thursday.

“The decision to jump from a bridge is often a relatively impulsive decision, so fencing makes a big difference,” she continued.

“It prevents that decision in that crisis moment and keeps people safe and alive to access the other supports that they need.”

Boyle says the statistics are “heartbreaking,” noting there have over 20 jumping incidents and six fatalities from the Granville Street Bridge since 2016.

“We know that suicide prevention barriers make a huge difference,” she said, adding crisis phones on bridges have proven to be not as effective.

“We know that public safety has been a key issue for this council, and particularly Mayor Sim and ABC. This is a public safety issue for those folks in crisis and for everyone around.”

Not only does Boyle hope the barriers will improve safety overall, she says this issue is a personal one, having lost two friends to suicide in her 20s.

The motion is set to go before council next week.

The Crisis Centre is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and provides “immediate access to barrier-free, non-judgmental support via phone lines and online services.”