I know someone who hanged themself 18 months ago after a buildup of personal problems and much alcohol that night, but rescue services were called and saved him. Email: joshua.bote@sfgate.com and Signal: 707-742-3756, Six months after student's disappearance in San Francisco, family continues search, Horoscope for Saturday, 3/04/23 by Christopher Renstrom, Snowboarder dies at Tahoe ski resort following historic blizzard, West I-80 closed near Tahoe due to snow and 'multiple spinouts', Wife of Jeffrey Vandergrift issues somber update, Even Salesforces tower HQ isnt safe from office cuts, Inside Harry and Meghans favorite In-N-Out, Horoscope for Friday, 3/03/23 by Christopher Renstrom, Massive Lake Tahoe waterfront compound slashes price by $20M, This beloved East Bay hybrid cafe and bike shop is closing, Ja Morant says he'll get help after video shows apparent gun. Golden Gate Bridge suicide barrier: Controversy and cost over a life saver. I love the analogy with weight loss. He has visited mental hospitals several times since his jump. (felt good to be honest for once). Berkeley. Its complicated, Bay Area city cracks top 10 best for sleep: US News, JV talked about health struggles before disappearance, Martinez residents warned not to eat food grown in, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. This is a terribly hard process, and I hope that youre able to get help and support from others. And for most of those whose lives were saved, life goes on for many more years to come. Its sad how much youve suffered, and its inspirational how differently you feel right now. I often think that if we are going to make up what we tell ourselves about our future, we might at least make it good. He recovered physically, but mentally he is now depressed and on anti-depressants,has anxiety attacks, is too emotional for working, and keeps saying he wishes he had succeeded with his attempt as he feels a burden to everyone. He completed the challenge and won himself a taxi ride to New York. Keep pushing on. Also, on the Resources page, I list a number of websites and other resources for people who have lost someone to suicide. Overall, a meta-analysis of numerous studies that looked at bridges suicide barriers found them to be effective. A Lesson from 29 Golden Gate Suicide Attempts - Medium Case Contact Information: SFPD at 415-575-444 or text TIP411 (Start your message with SFPD) Or contact: private investigator Scott Dudek at 925-705-8328 or dudek.associates@gmail.com, *there is a reward for information that leads to her location and return, For more info: https://findsydneywest.com/ Facebook: Find Sydney West Instagram @find_sydney_west Polly Klaas Foundation: https://www.pollyklaas.org/missing-children/sydney-west/, Sources: https://pleasantonweekly.com/news/2021/09/30/what-a-week-find-sydney-west https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/searching-for-sydney-san-francisco-police-still-asking-for-publics-help/?fbclid=IwAR2uVE3anCjr5EvpUerTiD6JZxCAENR83-xIRz3TRzAfRuGckyYFzRqnobM https://storiesoftheunsolved.com/2020/11/27/the-disappearance-of-sydney-west/. FAQs - Statistics & Data | Golden Gate Im all right, Im prepared for this! Dusty Rhodes yelled as he launched himself from the Golden Gate Bridge. I know you mean well, but I always feel I wished I never survived. I was so worried about him, but he refused to get help and he kept drinking. The persons reasons for dying may begin to fade. SFGATE news editor Amy Graff contributed to this report. SFGATE's Editor-at-Large Andrew Chamings is a British writer in San Francisco. Its great to hear that things are going well for you now. Thanks again for your thoughtful comment. She vanished without a trace from San Francisco, California, near the Golden Gate Bridge, a popular tourist spot for many. He and his wife lived in Tracy and had an adorable . As I entered Oklahoa, something I like to think it was my Higher Powerinspired me to call my brother in Illinois and I ended up going in and out of treatment centers until I finally realized that Im an alcoholic and that there was hope for me. The story of Kevin Hines demonstrates the clarity that can finally appear when someones life is on the line. God Bless You. Car plunges off California elevated highway, 3 people killed. I was driving toward the Hoover Dam bypass bridge from Memphis over 4 years ago to jump off. Since Sept. 30, there has been no activity on her phone or credit cards. Her Disappearance: Sydney West was a 19-year-old freshman at U.C. America doesnt feed narcissistic people and men are more materialistic. So in a couple days with no vehicle no money and no job, Im just supposed to trudge on, because life is precious or whatever other placating device people Banty about? Ive worked in Mental health, Ive lost a family member through suicide. I hope you will read it and take its words to heart. Too, people who attempt suicide may receive the help they need afterwards. Holidays and milestones come and go while we continue to feelSydney's absence continuously. Suicides Mounting, Golden Gate Looks to Add a Safety Net At the time of her disappearance Sydney was 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighs around 130 pounds with light brown hair and blue eyes. Female Representation In The Tech And Startup World: UC Berkeley, Berkeley Asks Residents To Provide Input On Wildfire Response, American Tulip Day & Free, U-Pick-Tulips 2023: Union Square, San Francisco, Rotary Club's Drive-Thru Crab & Pasta Feed 2023: Orinda. My mother battled w depression I watched her battle hard all my life and still. Missing Ex-Cal Student Last Seen On Golden Gate Bridge The Golden Gate Bridge is the number one suicide site in the world. True or false is a perception that changes from person to person. Between 1937 and 2012, an estimated 1,400 bodies were recovered of people who had jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge, located in the San Francisco Bay Area in the United States. Im sorry to hear about all the pain youve been through. Its always women telling men what we should be. In February 2009, following the murder of a four-year-old girl who was thrown off the bridge by her father, the first stage of a temporary suicide barrier was erected on Westgate Bridge, constructed of concrete crash barriers topped with a welded mesh fence. Bonnie. They lied about every imaginable factor of surviving in life. And I got very drunk every time I drank after that, which was quite often. She replied, She probably figured she could fix you. This was the beginning of my recognition of the fact that I wasnt the horrible person I made myself out to be, in fact, my story is very much like a lot of alcoholics Ive met. Precious few people survive such a fall; the water about 200 feet below acts the same as concrete when a person lands on it at high speed. But in reality, he cant know what the future holds. All theses years following, I did not feel good about myself, am reunited with my nephew, reading up on how to talk to him. After my attempt at suicide, I tried to find information about my feelings and what others were feeling. Anyone interested in following the investigation may do so on Facebook or Instagram, and tag posts with #FindSydneyWest. But its possible theres not more you could have done. A narcissistic parent doesnt cause suicide, either lifes problems do or mental illness does. There are some reports that Sydney may have suffered from depression. I pray tonight. Shortly after 1 p.m. on March 8, San Francisco officials pulled the fully clothed body of a 56-year-old white man from the waves off secluded Marshall's Beach, just south of the Golden Gate Bridge. I had my suicidal thoughts since I was a child I lost my mum when I was 9 years old she took her own life and even now after my attempt I still dont know how to feel about what happened to her and what I have done to my self but I know I will have to find a way to live with the impact of my attempt and hopefully find a way to some sort of happiness, Please seek help, therapy to work through your trauma, it must be so hard to have lost your mum in this way and your nine year old self could only feel abandoned, not enough to have stopped her. Its death toll has since been surpassed only by the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge in China.. The memoir Half in Love: Surviving the Legacy of Suicide captures very well, to a painful degree, how someone who deeply loves their children can simultaneously feel pulled to end her life. Had she jumped somebody definitely would have noticed, and it would've been caught on CCTV (the cameras are placed on light poles so fog does not block). The instant regret of jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge did not result in instant mental health recovery once Hines survived. 18 I held a gun to my head in my backyard w my finger on the trigger. He once tried to jump off the Aloha Tower in Honolulu only to be thwarted at the last minute by police. suicide sometimes defies even the best efforts to thwart it, University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, http://www.SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources/#immediatehelp, If Only: Self-Blame After a Loved Ones Suicide, You Cant Do Everything: Limitations in Helping a Suicidal Person, a meta-analysis of numerous studies that looked at bridges suicide barriers, Generally, research into method substitution, 10 Things Not to Say to a Suicidal Person. My passion for helping suicidal people stems from my own lived experience with suicidality and suicide loss. And these different medications can be combined at various dosages. I fantasize a lot about suicide. Have you read Whats In the Way Is the Way by Mary OMalley? In fact, Dusty told his friend to shoot from the bridge as it would be more dramatic, and besides, he would easily be able to swim to shore to a congratulatory, awestruck crowd of beach goers. At times I hate myself. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe now to receive more just like it. She took a ride-share service. Im here. This Walking Pad treadmill made getting 10,000 steps a How to get tickets for Depeche Mode's new tour dates. It was in 1984. Family of Sydney West, missing UC Berkeley student, renews search The chances of surviving. Obviously, I failed. Thank you for sharing, Stacy. This is perhaps the best argument for preventing suicide. Growing up Sydney was described as a sweet and goofy girl who wasnt afraid of being herself. Good luck to your friend, Julie, and thanks for commenting. Even for people who passionately wish and perhaps even need (for health reasons) to lose weight, they do not always prevail. Have you found commonality in your suicidal patients? Parenthood does not protect everyone, though. Where Are They Now?: The Fate of Suicide Attempt Survivors Edit: FAQs https://findsydneywest.com/faq, https://www.pollyklaas.org/missing-children/sydney-west/, https://pleasantonweekly.com/news/2021/09/30/what-a-week-find-sydney-west, https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/searching-for-sydney-san-francisco-police-still-asking-for-publics-help/?fbclid=IwAR2uVE3anCjr5EvpUerTiD6JZxCAENR83-xIRz3TRzAfRuGckyYFzRqnobM, https://storiesoftheunsolved.com/2020/11/27/the-disappearance-of-sydney-west/. It turns out that I had, and still have, many misconceptions about myself and the people in encounter. She tried to take her life when I was 12. In 2000, he actually did jump off the Golden Gate Bridge. Background: Sydney West was born on July 11, 2001. There are many people with children whose pain or distorted thinking overrides all else, in spite of their best wishes. I cant tell you how much of what you write touches me in some way. You provide inspiration to others who still are stuck in that hopelessness and despair. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. 2023 Audacy, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Each. You might be helped by connecting with other people who have attempted suicide and can understand not only what can lead a person to do that, but also what comes after. I just got out two days ago. Sydney West was last seen near the Golden Gate Bridge in the early morning hours of Sept. 30, walking near Crissy Field. Ken Baldwin. There were probably signs that you had a drinking problem from the very beginning. It was a startling revelation. It was apparently very foggy that morning. Rhodes was estranged from his wife Lorraine, who lived in the East Bay in Port Chicago with their two kids, Rocky, 4, and Oowala, 9, but he made arrangements for her to witness the stunt, maybe in the hope that the feat would win her back. We cannot overlook that 10% of people who survive a suicide attempt do go on to die by suicide. Rhodes, who also went by his native Navajo name Chief Sundown, was no stranger to danger. It's not hard to kill yourself at the Golden Gate bridge. This is perhaps why only one of Rhodes' three small parachutes opened, doing nothing to slow him down. My sons father committed suicide and in the moments he was alive after shooting himself he kept saying sorry I shouldnt have never done this over and over. He might also have refused to remove the gun from the home, too. A vigil was held last week for West in Pleasanton. We talked a lot about loving each other. On average, 30 people or more die from suicide here each year. In Mental Health circles there is a saying , that Sometimes suicide is inevitable. According to her family, a private investigator has followed up on dozens of tips, but none have led to West's whereabouts. What happens to them afterward? Well living isnt what its cracked up to be. We certainly do need to continue educating people about suicide prevention, including the reality that most people who survive a suicide attempt choose life afterwards. And the children are adults now. They understand the battle with weight loss and a zillion other things but not suicide. Your comments are false. We talked for a long time. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. It is true that suicide sometimes defies even the best efforts to thwart it. I wear various hats: I created and maintain this website, Speaking of Suicide, I'm an associate professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, and I have a psychotherapy and consulting practice. I am suicidal have been for the past week. Has left me pretty much bankrupt and not willing to live. Precious few people survive such a fall; the water about 200 feet below acts the same as concrete when a person lands on it at high speed. Theres another post that might be helpful to you, too: You Cant Do Everything: Limitations in Helping a Suicidal Person. Sergeant Kevin Briggs (also known as the Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge [1] [2]) is a California Highway Patrol officer noted for his work in suicide intervention, having dissuaded more than two hundred people from jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco Bay. Suicide bridge - Wikipedia His passing causes lots of pain, sadness and changed others lives entirely. Kevin Briggs. Her family is not giving up hope that she is still alive and remains determined to find her. SF]. Her Disappearance: Sydney West was a 19-year-old freshman at U.C. People are stupid. After the war, people were looking for entertainment in 1940's San Francisco, but TVs were not yet common in homes, public hangings were history and the 49ers hadnt joined the NFL yet. You cant will people to live. Have had lots of therapy after that. That's a mind-blowing statement. I am so glad my attempt did not end in my death. . For more information, click here. The bridge is 225 feet high, and after a four-second fall, jumpers hit the water at a speed of 75mph, with a force equivalent to a lorry crashing into a wall. West vanished Sept. 30 in San Francisco. similar to cancer ads, etc. The family of Sydney West is offering a $25,000 reward for her return. Suicide Deterrent Net | Golden Gate Tears ago, when my children were younger, I actually reached a point where I went beyond imagining the trauma and lifelong suffering, to my children; such was my pain. But what if you dont want help? Theyre asking anyone "who may have been walking, biking, running, who commute over the bridge particularly Wednesday mornings at that time" to share information if they might have seen West or anything that can help locate the missing teen. Her parents,Jay and Kimberly West,said their daughter liked visiting that bridge and would go to nearby Crissy Field to exercise. My reason to live is so I dont hurt people who care but what if you have no one who cares there was a time I had no one it was only my stupidity that got the hospital aware of my attempt. They have a good, nonjudgmental, and supportive discussions at ChronicSuicideSupport.com/forum/. As his wife described, without the weighted boots to keep him upright, Rhodes' body arched forward, eventually meeting the water face-first. Millions of eyes are going to locate her better than 20 sets, Jay West said. I blame myself 100% for her suicide. Suicide From the Golden Gate Bridge | American Journal of Psychiatry T he Golden Gate Bridge is one of the top suicide sites in the world, surpassed only by the Yangtze River Bridge in Nanjing, China.People have jumped off of the bridge for nearly as long as it's been accessible to the public; the first recorded suicide a World War I veteran suspected to have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder took place less than three months after the .