Cell phones to prevent suicide

Cell-phone hot lines and education will work better than fences or nets at preventing suicides from Hudson Valley bridges (NY), officials said yesterday, reports Record Online.

"Instead of fences or nets to block suicides, the Bridge Authority will spend $166,000 to install four to six cell phones on its Hudson bridges, linking potential suicides around the clock with a national suicide hot line. The hot-line staff will route the call to a local mental health clinic for counseling. It may also dispatch emergency services. The hot-line service is free, officials said.

The authority will also join with local suicide prevention organizations to spread the word, officials said."

emily | 4:06 PM | News, Buzz |
The Permanent Link to this page is: http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2007/02/015108.htm