The Quad City Federation of Labor and The Gray Matters Collective are fighting for barriers to be installed on the I-74 bridge to help keep people from attempting suicide by jumping off the bridge.
“I think because the bridges here are the most accessible means of suicide, we have a responsibility to do something about it,” said Haley DeGreve, the founder of Gray Matters Collective.
DeGreve said the I-74 bridge has become a hotspot in the Quad Cities for suicide attempts. In addition, around 600 suicides have happened on the Centennial Bridge since it was built. That’s why the two local organizations are working together to implement suicide prevention at those sites.
“Barriers on bridges do work. They do save lives,” said DeGreve.
She pointed to the effectiveness of a metal net on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco that cut the suicide rate by over 70%. She says it’s all about interrupting an attempt in that final moment.
“It’s about that moment pause,” said DeGreve. “It’s about that sliver of hope that if someone is in a contemplative state and they see that, they’ll think maybe this doesn’t have to be the only way out. Maybe there are other options.”
She says the focus is mainly on the I-74 bridge because the other two are easier to make additions to. They are working with the Illinois Department of Transportation to add suicide prevention measures to the I-80 and Centennial bridges. With construction planned on both structures in some way, shape, or form, it will be easier and cheaper to add. The I-74 bridge will be a bit more difficult.
DeGreve says many careers related to labor unions see high suicide rates. Dan Gosa is the president of the Quad City Federation of Labor. He says mental health awareness and suicide prevention are important for the workers he covers.
“You’re on the road a lot, you’re away from your family, you miss things,” said Gosa. “Different things kind of compile.”
He noted that recent government shutdowns put strain on workers and their mental health.
“People are still having to go to work without drawing a paycheck,” Gosa continued. “Well, their bills still come every week and month that need to get paid and stuff like that so it’s a lot of stress.”
Both organizations mentioned low-cost options like signage and direct access to hotlines can be effective. Signs have been placed with mental health tools on the I-74 bridge walkway as recently as this week. Though, a physical barrier could be more effective.
“I think nets are one of the more effective things we can do to prevent suicide on the bridge,” said DeGreve.
They’re working with both state governments, Bettendorf, Moline and the federal government to find a solution.
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