Barriers being installed along U of M’s Washington Ave Bridge
Washington Ave. suicide prevention funding passes
A government shutdown has been averted in Minnesota, and among the funding measures approved by lawmakers was to erect suicide-prevention barriers along the Washington Avenue Bridge on the University of Minnesota’s campus. FOX 9’s Maury Glover has the details.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Suicide-prevention advocates say the Washington Avenue Bridge has been a place of heartbreak, trauma and tragedy for too many people.
'A hole in the heart'
What we know:
It’s been 19 months since MJ Blair's daughter Kayla Gaebel died by suicide on the Washington Avenue Bridge.
But now Blair is optimistic other families won't have to go through the pain that her family has endured.
"Overwhelmingly excited that we have gotten it this far and that the bill did pass. The entire goal was to save lives," said Blair.
'Sense of relief'
The backstory:
On Monday, state lawmakers passed a transportation bill that includes $8 million dollars to build suicide-prevention barriers on the bridge.
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The legislative season started with a House standoff, included a senator's arrest, and ended with a compromise deal that cut $5 billion from the previous budget and didn't particularly please members of either party. FOX 9’s Corin Hoggard has the highs and lows of the session at its close.
Suicide prevention advocates say the bridge has been a problem spot for 50 years, with three to five people taking their lives there every year.
"It's a known location that this issue should have been addressed decades ago," said Erich Mische, CEO of Suicide Awareness Voices of Education.
Last fall, the University of Minnesota installed temporary fencing to address the issue, but now it is in the process of designing higher railings to be permanent barriers, as well as adding lighting upgrades and other safety improvements.
"We know that the most significant factor in reducing suicide on a tall public structure is a physical barrier," said Mische.
Quite the journey
What they're saying:
Blair created a foundation named Kayla's Hope with her daughter's favorite flower, the sunflower, as its symbol.
She hopes putting more suicide-prevention barriers on tall public structures will be a bridge to a brighter future.
"I am more than happy that we've got these barriers going up, but I think of all the people, my daughter included, that it won't bring them back. It's bittersweet," said Blair.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. The Lifeline provides free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across the U.S.