Newspaper Page Text
Page 6, May 20, 2019, The Islander
Suicide prevention
Continued from Page 1
Apparently paper records and death
certificates do not acknowledge sui
cide as a cause of death.
“We need a system to track suicide
deaths,” Fendig said.
One of the group’s recommenda
tions was that the state pass a law re
quiring the cause of death be recorded
to a state data base as a suicide if the
coroner knows that is the underlying
cause.
Another problem pointed out is
that there is no barrier on the SLB to
prevent a person from jumping off the
bridge.
The group reported an estimated
18 persons have jumped from the SLB
since 2003 and another 50 attempted
suicides from the bridge.
They recommended that the Geor
gia Dept, of Transportation install
a barrier system on the SLB as well
as the Talmadge Memorial Bridge in
Savannah.
Information provided stated that
barriers installed on bridges are 100%
effective in preventing suicides.
After the recent death of Nicole
Wells who jumped from the SLB, Ms.
Byrd said she decided to organize a
bridge walk. She said about 250 peo
ple showed up and that many had
never walked up the SLB.
‘When they walked up to the top,
they realized how low the bridge rail
ing is and how there is nothing to stop
you from jumping off,” Byrd said.
‘We decided to form a bridge alli
ance,” she continued. “Studies that go
back to the 1930s show that people
who are contemplating suicide can be
helped.”
“There is no research to show that
if a person is stopped from committing
suicide the he or she will find another
way,” she said.
She pointed out again that records
show only 18 persons have jumped
from the SLB since 2003. “But if no
one sees you jump then the death is
recorded as something else,” Byrd
said.
The group’s third recommendation
was to place a camera system on the
SLB. The system would provide infor
mation to the E-911 Center and alert
a response team.
Recently (May 15) a person was
talked down from the SLB by first
responders that included Brunswick
Police.
Along with the camera system the
recommendation included a joint city/
county response team like a Crisis In
tervention Team.
The group’s research stated that
“suicide rates decline 30% to 50%
when the availability to highly lethal
and commonly used suicide methods
are restricted. Restricting access to
lethal means allows time for the per
son to move out of the crisis and other
people to intervene.”
Ms. Byrd handed out information
for the suicide hotline. “911 is not
trained to talk people off the bridge,”
she said.
The suicide prevention hotline is
800-273-8255 and manned 24 / 7.
Their website is suicidepreventionlife-
line.com.
“Suicide is a major issue in our com
munity,” Fendig said. “We need a local
partnership between the city and the
county to help prevent it.”
Rep. Hogan said that he had al
ready spoken with Ann Purcell,
Chairman of the State Transportation
Board, and that a study committee to
look into the SLB situation was in the
formation process.
Ms. Meyers (CEO Coastal Commu
nity Health Services) said that there
is a stigma attached to suicide. “It is
important for the state to have accu
rate information to plan for preven
tion and intervention,” she said.
She also said she didn’t know if
Gateway (Gateway Behavioral Health
Services) was looking into suicide lo
cally. “Is it being addressed in the
community?” she asked.
Ms. Byrd said, “People need to talk
about it because those contemplating
suicide feel so alone.”
Hogan commented that Gov. Brian
Kemp recently signed HB 514 which
created the Georgia Mental Health
Reform and Innovation Commission.
“The governor is aware of our cur
rent mental health problems,” Hogan
said.
Just four people came together to
talk to the community and share their
thoughts and experiences. It resulted
in a 250 person Bridge Alliance Walk
and resolutions from the City and the
County Commissions.
On April 3 the City of Brunswick
Commission passed a resolution Re
questing Support from the Local Del
egation and Georgia Department of
Transportation for Suicide Preven
tion Measures on the Sidney Lanier
Bridge. The County Board of Commis
sioners passed a similar resolution on
March 21.
How Weight Loss Surgery Can Improve Your Health
On Wednesday, May 22, J. William Tsai, M.D., board-certified general sur
geon at Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-Glynn General & Vascular
Surgery, will present “Understanding Obesity: Are You at Risk?” at the Golden
Isles YMCA’s Lunch and Learn from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be provid
ed at no charge to attendees. The lecture will offer important information on
treatment options for obesity and additional details to associated risks.
As most doctors and many patients who have had bariatric surgery can tell
you, losing weight and keeping it off requires hard work and dedication. Sur
gery is not a magic cure, but rather a kick-start to a healthier lifestyle. Still,
many patients have found that weight loss surgery had an immediate and
dramatic impact on their health.
The Lunch and Learn For Your Health series takes place at the Golden Isles
YMCA located at 144 Scranton Connector, Brunswick. Seating is limited and
pre-registration is required by calling the YMCA at 912-265-4100. To learn
more about bariatric surgery at Southeast Georgia Health System or to sched
ule a consultation, call 912-265-5125 or visit sghs.org/bariatrics.
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