Embrace life day
Topic of the day: Preventing suicide in Nanjing - a national example
September 10th was global "Embrace Life Day", previously known as anti-suicide day. While taking the cab home a few days later, I was listening to the radio when this story came up and perked my interest. It goes something like this:
In Nanjing, China (a few hours away from Shanghai), plans are in the works to put up a net under the Nanjing Bridge, which is thought to help prevent suicidal individuals from jumping to their death, into the mighty Yangtze River. Ever since the bridge was opened in 1968, over 2,000 people have already taken their lives by jumping from the Nanjing Bridge. This year alone, over 80 took the plunge. The situation has gotten so out of hand that the Nanjing Bridge has become the nation's unofficial symbol for those wanting to commit suicide.
It is because of this dilemma that Nanjing's officials have decided to erect the net, which should prevent any successful jump attempts in the future. However, when the reporters went out on the street and asked locals their opinion, most said that the net does not resolve the problem of people wanting to commit suicide. Laying out a net does not addres why people want to take their own lives and how they can receive help - and of course, if they won't be able to kill themselves by jumping off a bridge, future suicidal individuals will just find another method that will do the deed.
Officials seem to be aware of these criticisms - currently, plans are in the works to create a suicidal hotline (because something like 95% of those contemplating suicide will change their mind after just talking to someone). In the mean time, the net will be erected and if nothing else, will help the Nanjing Bridge with a little image lift!
September 10th was global "Embrace Life Day", previously known as anti-suicide day. While taking the cab home a few days later, I was listening to the radio when this story came up and perked my interest. It goes something like this:
In Nanjing, China (a few hours away from Shanghai), plans are in the works to put up a net under the Nanjing Bridge, which is thought to help prevent suicidal individuals from jumping to their death, into the mighty Yangtze River. Ever since the bridge was opened in 1968, over 2,000 people have already taken their lives by jumping from the Nanjing Bridge. This year alone, over 80 took the plunge. The situation has gotten so out of hand that the Nanjing Bridge has become the nation's unofficial symbol for those wanting to commit suicide.
It is because of this dilemma that Nanjing's officials have decided to erect the net, which should prevent any successful jump attempts in the future. However, when the reporters went out on the street and asked locals their opinion, most said that the net does not resolve the problem of people wanting to commit suicide. Laying out a net does not addres why people want to take their own lives and how they can receive help - and of course, if they won't be able to kill themselves by jumping off a bridge, future suicidal individuals will just find another method that will do the deed.
Officials seem to be aware of these criticisms - currently, plans are in the works to create a suicidal hotline (because something like 95% of those contemplating suicide will change their mind after just talking to someone). In the mean time, the net will be erected and if nothing else, will help the Nanjing Bridge with a little image lift!
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