Warning: This story deals with suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, you can find resources for help at the bottom of this story.
Two men died last month after jumping off the Confederation Bridge, which connects Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick.
Officials say suicides on the 13-kilometre bridge are rare. But RCMP Cpl. Gavin Moore confirmed two suicides happened less than two weeks apart: on Sept. 16 at 8:15 a.m. and on Sept. 28 at 8:55 a.m.
“No criminality is suspected,” Moore said in a statement to CBC News.
The deaths have people who work in mental health asking whether enough is being done to prevent these tragedies, and why recommendations from the province’s suicide prevention strategy — released nearly six years ago — have not been implemented.
“I thought, how tragic is this, and two so close together,” said Amanda Brazil, former director of programs and policy with the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Amanda Brazil, former director of programs and policy with the Canadian Mental Health Association, says barriers on bridges have been shown to save lives. (Steve Bruce/CBC)
Brazil worked with the province to develop its suicide prevention strategy, “The Building Blocks of Hope.” It was released in 2018.
Page 16 of that strategy called for erecting barriers on the Hillsborough Bridge, which links Charlottetown and Stratford, and including signage and/or helpline phones at other sites including the North River Causeway to the west of Charlottetown.
Those recommendations didn’t include the Confederation Bridge, which is a federally owned asset connecting two provinces and forming part of the TransCanada Highway network.
But barriers were never put in place on the Hillsborough Bridge, despite the recommendations. Brazil wants to know why.
This is one of 75 small wooden crosses inscribed in the memory of people who died by suicide that were attached to the railing of the Hillsborough Bridge in November 2022. At the time, suicide prevention advocates and P.E.I.’s Liberal party were calling on the government to install barriers on the bridge. (Sheehan Desjardins/CBC)
“Research has shown that if there are barriers in place, it will often give a person a moment to sort of stop and think, and you won’t see them often go and find another place that they can jump from,” she said.
“So it’s really an opportunity to give people pause. And for that reason alone, it helps.”
Brazil said she’s confident barriers on the Confederation Bridge would make people think twice.
If you put up a barrier, it will prevent [deaths], it just will. — Amanda Brazil, former CMHA director of programs and policy
“If you put up a barrier, it will prevent [deaths], it just will,” she said. “By putting up barriers on bridges, it demonstrates the government’s commitment to the issue. It really speaks to how governments or jurisdictions take this really seriously.”
24-7 monitoring
The operators of Confederation Bridge sent a brief statement in response to questions from CBC News.
“The bridge is monitored 24/7 via cameras as well as patrolled regularly throughout the day,” the statement said in part. “The Strait Crossing staff is hard at work, ensuring that all travellers respect the rules so that residents and visitors can cross the bridge safely.”
P.E.I.’s suicide prevention strategy calls for erecting barriers on structures such as the Hillsborough Bridge between Charlottetown and Stratford, but not on the Confederation Bridge, pictured here. No such barriers were ever placed on the Hillsborough Bridge. (Julien Lecacheur/Radio-Canada)
P.E.I.’s Department of Health and Wellness said in an emailed statement that it is committed to supporting suicide prevention strategies based on best practices and evidence.
“We remain dedicated to exploring possible solutions, including options for the Hillsborough Bridge, to help reduce suicide in our province,” the statement read.
More people reaching out for help
People who work in mental health say more and more people are reaching out for help.
Julia Ramsay, director of community education and supports with the Canadian Mental Health Association, said it’s important for people to know help is available, 24-7.
‘Life is really difficult for people and I think it’s just increasingly getting more challenging and so that’s why we really need to ramp up our supports,’ says Julia Ramsay, the director of community education and supports with the Canadian Mental Health Association. (Submitted by Julia Ramsay)
Ramsay also oversees the association’s suicide prevention programs.
“It’s always a tragedy to hear that somebody has taken their own life or has even had thoughts of suicide,” Ramsay said from her office in Alberton.
“Life is really difficult for people and I think it’s just increasingly getting more challenging, and so that’s why we really need to ramp up our supports and… do that strengthening within the communities to ensure that anyone can help someone who’s at risk.”
Prince Edward Island’s suicide rates remain below the national average. According to the Coroner’s Office:
Transport Canada, which oversees the operation of the Confederation Bridge, said Strait Crossing would be better positioned to answer questions about safety and security measures that are in place.
Suicide prevention on infrastructure is a complex issue that requires collaboration among multiple parties … — Transport Canada
But the department added: “Suicide prevention on infrastructure is a complex issue that requires collaboration among multiple parties including local authorities, social workers, mental health organizations and bridge operators.”
Brazil said barriers on bridges do save lives.
“I can tell you that the research out of Australia has shown that there were bridges that removed their barriers after a certain amount of years — and their rates of suicide by bridge radically increased.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, here’s where to get help:
This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you’re worried about.