From the time it opened in 1937 to 2024, a period of more than 85 years, the Golden Gate Bridge was the number one suicide site in the world. Confirmed suicides topped 2,000; the real number is likely higher, as other deaths were left unconfirmed—often because a body wasn’t recovered or it was recovered too far away to be connected with certainty to the bridge.

In 2024, a marine-grade, stainless-steel net was installed under the bridge to prevent suicides. This was after public debate for decades over whether there should be any kind of physical suicide deterrent. Opponents voiced three main arguments:

For advocates of a suicide barrier, it was relatively easy to dismiss the first two arguments. Yes, a physical barrier is expensive, but so too are lives lost.

Besides, the Golden Gate Bridge District spent millions of dollars on other public safety improvements, even in cases where the risk to life appeared much lower. These included $5........

© Psychology Today