A suicide prevention initiative at a jumping site: A mixed-methods evaluation

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Criminology
• Psychology

Background:

• Gap Park, Sydney, is a recognized suicide jumping site.
• A Masterplan was implemented in 2010-2011 with suicide prevention measures.
• This study evaluates the Masterplan's effectiveness in reducing suicides.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Gap Park Masterplan in reducing suicides.
• To analyze trends in suicide at Gap Park before and after the Masterplan's implementation.
• To explore police perspectives on suicide prevention measures at Gap Park.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods design combining quantitative and qualitative data.
• Analysis of suicide data from the Australian National Coronial Information System (NCIS).
• Qualitative interviews with police officers responding to suicidal incidents at Gap Park.

Main Results:

• Joinpoint analysis indicated a non-significant upward trend in overall jumping suicides.
• Female suicides significantly decreased post-Masterplan implementation (2010-2016).
• Male suicides showed a non-significant upward trend; police interviews highlighted themes of romanticism, repeat attempts, and barrier effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• The Gap Park Masterplan appears to have reduced female jumping suicides but not male suicides.
• Safety barriers may function primarily as psychological deterrents.
• CCTV and alarms are effective in detecting and locating individuals attempting suicide.