Citation

Reisch T, Schuster U, Michel K. Psychiatr. Danub. 2006; 18(Suppl 1): 145.

Affiliation

University Psychiatric Services, Murtenstrasse 21, 3010 Bern, Switzerland. reisch@spk.unibe.ch.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Facultas Universitatis Studiorum Zagrabiensis - Danube Symposion of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16964143

Abstract

Suicide by jumping is the fourth most frequent suicide method used in Switzerland. People often choose specific and well-known jumping sites, the so called hotspots to end their life. By restricting access, building barriers or nets the availability of this suicide method can be restricted. We performed a survey in Switzerland to find hotspots and to assess the currently available barriers. Increasing the height of the railing or barriers were found on several bridges. Some of these measures were built not primarily to prevent suicides but to save people living below the bridge from falling bodies while leaving the possibility of jumping (incomplete measures). Others were built with the objective of reducing the number of suicides by impeding the possibility of jumping (complete measures). We will present the suicide data on complete and incomplete modifications of the railing heights.

Language: en