Category: News

Vancouver, BC – July 24, 2024 – The Crisis Centre of BC acknowledges today’s Vancouver City Council decision to include the installation of suicide prevention barriers on the Granville Street Bridge into its Capital Plan, but we are disappointed that this essential work is still contingent on other levels of government coming to the table first.

The original motion, introduced by Councillor Christine Boyle, was designed to save lives – now. Amendments brought forward mark a step forward in creating a suicide-safer Vancouver, but they do not address the urgency of the lived and living experiences of folks directly impacted by suicide on Granville Street Bridge.

The Centre supports the inclusion of suicide bridge barrier funding in the National Suicide Prevention Action Plan. We encourage the City to apply for infrastructure funding from all levels of government. But these actions can happen after City Council makes a clear commitment to fund and install suicide prevention fencing as quickly as possible.

The lives of Vancouver residents should not rely on resolving debates about funding.

“While the motion as passed did not meet our hope of prioritizing the lives of residents by unanimously supporting the installation of barriers as soon as possible, the motion still carries weight to bring about significant change in our region, province and country,” said Stacy Ashton, Executive Director of the Crisis Centre of BC. “By bringing forward the addition of bridge suicide barriers as a priority addition to Canada’s National Suicide Prevention Action Plan, Vancouver is demonstrating a commitment to this work; we would have liked that commitment to go further to create safety on Granville Bridge now.”

The Crisis Centre of BC remains dedicated to supporting individuals in crisis and advocating for suicide prevention measures. With today’s decision, the organization is hopeful for a future where bridges are symbols of hope and connection, rather than despair.

About the Crisis Centre of BC

The Crisis Centre of BC is a leading provider of crisis intervention and suicide prevention services in British Columbia. The Centre operates 24/7 crisis lines offering barrier-free, non-judgemental, confidential support and follow-up, as well as education and training programs that promote mental wellness and equip schools, organizations and communities to assist people at risk of suicide.

• 310-6789 (no area code needed)
  BC Mental Health Support Line
• 1-800-SUICIDE / 1-800-784-2433
  BC Suicide Prevention and Intervention Line
• 9-8-8
  National Suicide Crisis Helpline / Ligne d’aide en cas de crise de suicide

Media Requests

Jeffrey Preiss
Director, Development & Communications
jpreiss@crisiscentre.bc.ca

Stacy Ashton
Executive Director, Crisis Centre of BC
Chair, BC Crisis Line Network
sashton@crisiscentre.bc.ca

Vancouver, BC – July 17, 2024 – The Crisis Centre BC is calling on the Vancouver City Mayor and Council to champion public safety and mental health by supporting the upcoming motion regarding suicide prevention fencing for the Granville Bridge. The motion will be brought forward to Council on July 24, 2024.

“Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy,” states Stacy Ashton, Executive Director at Crisis Centre BC. “Suicide prevention fencing on Granville Bridge will save lives.”

The Crisis Centre of BC is a signatory to a Letter to Mayor & Council sent on July 17, 2024.  Other signatories include: Tom Lancaster – General Manager, CMHC-Granville Island; Ruhamah Buchanan – President, PSAC Local 20378, Granville Island; Jonny Morris – Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Mental Health Association, BC; Jeannine Martin, President, Vancouver Regional Construction Association; Jane Talbot, Executive Director, Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association; Ivy Haisell, Executive Director of the South Granville Business Improvement Association.  

“The heartbreaking reality is that people attempting suicide from the bridge are acting in moments of crisis,” says Ashton.  Suicide prevention fencing offers a critical opportunity for intervention and prevents final decisions made in someone’s most difficult moments.  These fences save lives, prevent injuries, and prevent trauma for the first responders and bystanders who are moved to help and who witness these events.

By prioritizing this motion, the Council can send a strong message that they value the safety and well-being of all Vancouver residents.

About the Crisis Centre of BC

The Crisis Centre of BC is a leading provider of crisis intervention and suicide prevention services in British Columbia. The Centre operates 24/7 crisis lines offering barrier-free, non-judgemental, confidential support and follow-up, as well as education and training programs that promote mental wellness and equip schools, organizations and communities to assist people at risk of suicide.

• 310-6789 (no area code needed)
  BC Mental Health Support Line
• 1-800-SUICIDE / 1-800-784-2433
  BC Suicide Prevention and Intervention Line
• 9-8-8
  National Suicide Crisis Helpline / Ligne d’aide en cas de crise de suicide

Media Requests

Jeffrey Preiss
Director, Development & Communications
jpreiss@crisiscentre.bc.ca

Stacy Ashton
Executive Director, Crisis Centre of BC
Chair, BC Crisis Line Network
sashton@crisiscentre.bc.ca

Vancouver, BC – June 17, 2024 – The Crisis Centre of BC is calling for the widespread implementation of bridge barriers and fencing as a key strategy in preventing suicide.

“We are talking about a human being who is likely experiencing their darkest moment,” says Stacy Ashton, Executive Director of the Crisis Centre of BC. “Our goal is to keep them safe and show them that their life matters. Bridge fencing on all bridges, combined with readily available crisis phone access, can achieve this.”

Ashton emphasizes that bridge barriers are not just about preventing suicide, but about creating a safety net and offering a chance for intervention.

“When someone is in crisis, a bridge can become a symbol of finality. Barriers and fencing buy time, allowing that person the opportunity to connect with help and find hope,” she says.

The Crisis Centre cites a report by Toronto Public Health, which highlights the effectiveness of bridge barriers. The report found a 93 per cent reduction in suicide deaths at bridge locations where barriers were implemented.

“The numbers speak for themselves,” says Ashton. “Suicide rates may fluctuate, but what matters most is that the vast majority of people find a path to lives worth living when we’re there for them during their most difficult times. Bridge barriers are a crucial piece of the puzzle in preventing suicide.”

The Crisis Centre acknowledges that aesthetics and cost may be considerations, but believes these concerns can be addressed through design and collaboration.

“We urge bridge authorities and government officials to prioritize public safety and mental health,” concludes Ashton. “Let’s work together to make sure every bridge is a symbol of hope and connection, not despair.”

About the Crisis Centre of BC

The Crisis Centre of BC is a leading provider of crisis intervention and suicide prevention services in British Columbia. The Centre operates 24/7 crisis lines offering barrier-free, non-judgemental, confidential support and follow-up, as well as education and training programs that promote mental wellness and equip schools, organizations and communities to assist people at risk of suicide.

• 310-6789 (no area code needed)
  BC Mental Health Support Line
• 1-800-SUICIDE / 1-800-784-2433
  BC Suicide Prevention and Intervention Line
• 9-8-8
  National Suicide Crisis Helpline / Ligne d’aide en cas de crise de suicide

Media Requests

Jeffrey Preiss
Director, Development & Communications
jpreiss@crisiscentre.bc.ca

Stacy Ashton
Executive Director, Crisis Centre of BC
Chair, BC Crisis Line Network
sashton@crisiscentre.bc.ca