A time series study of suicide prevention at the Story Bridge in Brisbane

Colleagues at the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention at Griffith have just published this nice study [open access link below] using Data from Queensland Suicide Register showing reductions in suicide at the Story Bridge following several different interventions including, in 2015, placing barriers. The authors report their findings carefully and responsibly–noting that there was an increase in jumping suicides in the city during the same period, which means we can't rule out the possibility that some people choose other venues (so-called means substitution). Because the data are so well presented, you can judge for yourselves about that possibility. Regardless, the reduction at this landmark bridge is a meaningful and significant achievement that we should celebrate and replicate. 

Kõlves K, Leske S, De Leo D. From suicide surveillance to restricting access to means: A time series study of suicide prevention at the Story Bridge. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 2023;0(0). doi:10.1177/00048674231177960

#meanssafety