Signage
& Barriers

Barriers and other physical deterrents that reduce access to areas where a person can attempt suicide, or otherwise reduce the lethality of an attempt, are an important part of comprehensive suicide prevention efforts. In the home, we can pay attention to door and window locks, and place crisis resources in visible places to remind ourselves or the person we are concerned about that help is available.   

Barriers matter because many people who develop a suicide plan will not substitute one means for another. Studies have shown that if access to a particular means is prevented or obstructed most people will not seek another method, even if it is readily accessible. The vast majority of people who attempt suicide and survive will not go on to die by suicide at a later date. This means that efforts not only to reduce access to highly lethal means, but also reduce the lethality of these attempts, can save lives.

There are several ways that physical barriers and other deterrents can prevent or reduce suicides. For example, physical barriers and deterrents that prevent access to a location, such as fences; netting or other mechanisms underneath a structure that reduce the lethality of an attempt; or signage that offers a message of hope and shares a crisis resource.

The following address various forms of site-specific suicide prevention considerations in more detail.

Bridge Barriers

The effectiveness of installing physical barriers on bridges has been studied in several locations. Barriers can take two forms: fences along the top of a structure that obstruct access, and netting underneath the structure that can catch a person before they fall the full height. A study of the effectiveness of a variety of physical barriers reported a significant reduction in suicides, and even the elimination of suicide deaths when barriers were constructed along the entire length of the structure. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s position paper on suicide prevention on bridgesopens PDF file includes several examples of the effectiveness of this approach.

In California, a physical deterrent is under construction on the Golden Gate Bridge and processes are underway to design similar barriers for the Coronado Bridge in San Diego and the Colorado Street Bridge in the City of Pasadena. If you are aware of additional projects, contact us opens in a new window, and we can highlight them as well.

Parking Structures

Several types of physical barriers can be installed to support means safety in parking structures. These can be fencing, screening, and/or landscaping that obstruct easy access to heights. The International Parking & Mobility Institute’s report on Suicide in Parking Facilitiesopens PDF file includes many examples and outlines for how to increase means safety within these structures.

Railway Efforts

Although on average railway suicides account for less than 1% of all suicides in the United States, the impact of rail suicides in specific communities can be much higher. While it’s not reasonable to install fencing along an entire railroad line, it is possible to target certain high-risk areas for fencing or other structural barriers that can reduce access or lethality of attempts. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s website includes information and resources about railway-related suicide prevention.

Signage

Many locations have introduced signage that promotes crisis hotlines, intervention services, and/or sources of counseling to encourage people who may be thinking about suicide to reach out for help. So far, research on signage has not shown effectiveness as clearly as with physical barriers and deterrents. However, when other physical deterrents are not feasible, signage can increase the chances that individuals in distress see a message of hope and are encouraged to reach out for help.

The wording and images used on signage should be in line with current knowledge about safe and effective messaging for suicide prevention. For example, minimizing the use of the word “suicide” is recommended as well as ensuring there is a prominent message of hope. The ordering of the words is also important. In the example below, the message of hope is at the top in large type, followed by the crisis hotline resource. 

One Piece of the Puzzle

Physical barriers and deterrents are just one part of a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention. Even in locations where physical barriers are in place, many more lives are saved each year through strategies to identify people who may be at risk and intervention before they attempt suicide. Site-specific strategies include suicide prevention training for people who work at these locations to increase their ability to recognize warning signs and intervene to assist someone who may be at risk. It’s also important that there is a plan for support if a suicide does occur, both for people who work at the site and for those who witnessed the death.

Learn about local suicide prevention efforts on the community resources page. If you would like to get involved in suicide prevention efforts, your local suicide prevention or prescription drug coalition is a great place to start. 

There is help (Hay ayuda) 1-800-273-8255. Text: 741-741

Additional Resources

For more information on signage, barriers, and suicide prevention, visit the links below: