Comparing Different Suicide Prevention Measures at Bridges and Buildings

Hauptbotschaft
Diese Publikation untersucht erstmals wie suizidpräventive Sicherung an Brücken und Bauwerken ausgeführt werden müssen um Suizide verhindern zu können. Geländererhöhungen sollten 2.3 Meter oder höher sein, Netze müssen möglichst tief liegen (3Meter oder mehr), wichtig ist ausserdem Brückenenden zu sichern.

Abstract
The goal of the study was to compare the effectiveness of different suicide prevention measures implemented on bridges and other high structures in Switzerland. A national survey identified all jumping hotspots that have been secured in Switzerland; of the 15 that could be included in this study, 11 were secured by vertical barriers and 4 were secured by low-hanging horizontal safety nets. The study made an overall and individual pre-post analysis by using Mantel-Haenszel Tests, regression methods and calculating rate ratios. Barriers and safety nets were both effective, with mean suicide reduction of 68.7% (barriers) and 77.1% (safety nets), respectively. Measures that do not secure the whole hotspot and still allow jumps of 15 meters or more were less effective. Further, the analyses revealed that barriers of at least 2.3 m in height and safety-nets fixed significantly below pedestrian level deterred suicidal jumps. Secured bridgeheads and inbound angle barriers seemed to enhance the effectiveness of the measure. Findings can help to plan and improve the effectiveness of future suicide prevention measures on high structures.

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