I recently lost a good friend to suicide. Theres just a lack of evidence that shes not with us anyone, Jay West said. Im all right, Im prepared for this! Dusty Rhodes yelled as he launched himself from the Golden Gate Bridge. I knew then that I would never try it again. Andrew was formerly a Creative Executive at Westbrook Studios. Even so, bridge foreman Arthur Olson caught up with the stuntman as the crowd gathered, and grabbed him, but lost his grip, only succeeding in ripping free one of the harnesses. Have had lots of therapy after that. According to her family, a private investigator has followed up on dozens of tips, but none have led to West's whereabouts. 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Car plunges off California elevated highway, 3 people killed. Berkeley. That changes things. She was last seen September 30, 2020, from the San Francisco area near the Golden Gate Bridge specifically around Crissy field. I saw him hit the water like a bullet, said his wife. Which will turn into the vicious cycle of no job= no money, and no money = no job. Except that my fiance was making me depressed because he wouldnt move in with me again like how we were living together before. I pretended to have an awakening and successfully faked a born-again quality joy that warded off the idiotic, feeble attempts of others to help me. Im sorry to hear of your loss While in Australia she started blogging about beginning to experience bouts of depression on top of her anxiety. Man Survives Suicide Jump From Golden Gate Bridge - ABC News The most intuitive reason is that suicidal crises are, by their nature, temporary. suicide sometimes defies even the best efforts to thwart it, University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, http://www.SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources/#immediatehelp, If Only: Self-Blame After a Loved Ones Suicide, You Cant Do Everything: Limitations in Helping a Suicidal Person, a meta-analysis of numerous studies that looked at bridges suicide barriers, Generally, research into method substitution, 10 Things Not to Say to a Suicidal Person. Andrew Chamings is an editor at SFGATE. I guess I have started to realize its not my faultits no ones fault when a loved one commits suicide. I was so worried about him, but he refused to get help and he kept drinking. Hi Joan. Sydney West's parents confirmed she was last seen on the Golden Gate Bridge. Parents hope key to teen's disappearance is with passerby on Golden Gate Bridge, How one storm system wreaked havoc from coast to coast, Californians await key decisions from reparations task force, Bankman-Fried might use flip phone under stricter bail plan, Woman accused of killing ill husband released from jail, Alaska's arduous Iditarod kicks off with ceremonial start, was initially thought to have last been seen or heard from early the morning of September 30 in the Crissy Field area. You provide inspiration to others who still are stuck in that hopelessness and despair. All 29 people who survived their suicide attempts off San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge have said they regretted their decision as soon as they jumped. The memoir Half in Love: Surviving the Legacy of Suicide captures very well, to a painful degree, how someone who deeply loves their children can simultaneously feel pulled to end her life. You might think that, once freed from the authority figures who prevented their suicide on the bridge, they still went on to by suicide. Interviews with jump survivors and potential jumpers . Here I thought I just occasionally drank too much. The four-second fall from the Golden Gate Bridge sends a person plunging 245 feet (75 m) at 75 miles per hour (121 km/h) to . You note that installation of a suicide barrier at the Bloor Viaduct in Toronto merely caused people to go to other locations in Toronto to die by suicide. The San Francisco Police Department's tip line can be reached at 415-575-4444. Will I Be Committed to a Mental Hospital if I Tell a Therapist about my Suicidal Thoughts? I think this message needs to be made more clear and put in ads, etc. I tried commiting suicide and ended up brain dead Then after I got out of the coma, I was put in rehab for 11 months where I kept trying to break my neck and die because I missed my fiance so much (he wasnt allowed to visit me because he had attempted suicide with me too since he didnt want to live without me). Where Are They Now? Required fields are marked *. My mother battled w depression I watched her battle hard all my life and still. 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I am literally living day by day and full of guilt, regret and anger. Its impossible to know but something to consider, in case youre only considering the set of possibilities for which you blame yourself. She was, for a period of time, carrying a black backpack that she frequently used to get around town. A jump off the Golden Gate Bridge takes around four seconds, during which a person will reach a speed of 80 mphbefore smashing into the water's surface like concrete. A good place to start is the Facebook group Live Through This. And for most of those whose lives were saved, life goes on for many more years to come. Search within r/redsox. Thanks for sharing, Anne. what can I do. We talked for a long time. I am a survivor as well of rape and spousal abuse, Am feeling empowered today, thanks to you. Thank you. Well living isnt what its cracked up to be. They planned to reconvene in L.A. the following day to hatch a plan to monetize the footage. Seidens study shows that those who encounter a personal, human intervention during the suicide attempt are less likely to end up dying of suicide (though he admits that another big percentage continue self-destructive behaviorse.g., excessive drinkingthat lead to an early natural death), but it says nothing about the efficacy of physical barriers. None of us can. Anyone with information about Sydneys whereabouts is asked to contact private investigator Scott Dudek by texting or calling 925-705-8328. I am dead broke, have exhausted both my savings and retirement stash, I am about to have my car repod and cant find a job. Saving Lives at the Golden Gate Bridge. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. The four-second fall from the Golden Gate Bridge sends a person plunging . If you havent already joined a support group for other suicide loss survivors, that might help you; such groups are available in person and online. Cameras on the Golden Gate Bridge recorded Sydney the morning of Sept. 30. If all else fails do something drastic. Afterward, I was disgusted and angry. His passing causes lots of pain, sadness and changed others lives entirely. What happens to them afterward? There are far more narcissistic dads and men than there are women and mothers. YEAH? Sydney West never returned home, and has not been heard from since. Rhodes had been seeking fame all his life, and successfully became one of Hollywoods first stuntmen, appearing in movies such as "Under Arizona Skies" and "Duel in the Sun," in which he performed a cliff jump. Too, people who attempt suicide may receive the help they need afterwards. But I have. Reports said West would often visit the bridge for runs, walks, and to take pictures. Also, on the Resources page, I list a number of websites and other resources for people who have lost someone to suicide. He says he fully expected to speak with her the next day and became very worried when she didnt return multiple calls from him. Im sorry to hear about all the pain youve been through. This is perhaps the best argument for preventing suicide. Suicide prevention can save lives. Sadly, your post is being used by some commenters to justify the Golden Gate Bridge net boondoggle. 15, 12, by Americaoncoffee. Sure if youve got someone/s to bail you out after your attempt, yeah youve got a reason to live. Theres people who love you and want you to keep pushing even if your soul reason is living to not put them through that heartache. Syd, Ive always loved you from the bottom of my heart, since the minute I saw your eyes open. I will just speak it: Their lies destroyed me and there is no one on earth greater than you and those you love and want to protect. In 2000, he actually did jump off the Golden Gate Bridge. This is a terribly hard process, and I hope that youre able to get help and support from others. Being a freshman and isolated on campus due to the COVID pandemic was hard for West, her family said. I mean how long can I go ahead. I put up a front so my kids wont end up the same way. Others need to respect the decision. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. I wish everyone could receive this gift, and I am grateful that you and others have done so! She grew up in Pleasanton, CA and then moved to Chapel Hill, NC with her family during high school. In the 1970s, a researcher named Richard Seiden wanted to find out what happened to 515 people who came to the Golden Gate Bridge to die within the previous 35 years, but who were stopped by California Highway Patrol officers. Thats simply not true, but it took stepping outside my beliefs, becoming teachable and following the leads of others to find a life worth living. The ongoing survival of people who attempt suicide is not (always) inevitable. We talked a lot about loving each other. Dec. 11, 2019 Updated: Dec. 12, 2019 8:06 a.m. 5. SF]. I hear you. Horrified spectators screamed and mothers covered their childrens eyes as Chief Sundowns lifeless body bobbed under the bridge and out to sea. "Together we will find Sydney and bring her home," her mother said. Rhodes, who also went by his native Navajo name Chief Sundown, was no stranger to danger. He jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge and survived. Now, he's - CNN Turns out, it was a recording of Sydney singing. This is perhaps why only one of Rhodes' three small parachutes opened, doing nothing to slow him down. I am a 60+ year old woman with four grown kids and six grandkids and when the darkness set in I could no longer see the effect this would have had on their lives. Maybe I didnt want to think he could actually do it. He grew up in the Los Angeles area, went to UC Berkeley and has previously worked as a news reporter at USA Today and SFGATE and as a music writer at NPR. You can find a life worth living, too, if you set your mind to finding solutions. Sydney West - Disappeared Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I couldnt pull all the way. Camera footage has been reviewed and interviews have been conducted among West's friends and acquaintances, but there are no leads. Her mother Kimberly West has said to a journalist The bridge was quite busy (that day). Sometimes, life just sucks and the pain of living is unbearable. I feel if I constantly feel like this over the years why dont I just die now? So in a couple days with no vehicle no money and no job, Im just supposed to trudge on, because life is precious or whatever other placating device people Banty about? Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Her parents thanked others for the love and support, and asked people to continue spreading the word by sharing photos and memories of their daughter on social media. All rights reserved. Even though 2/3 are started by women, Virtually every article is written by women. Missing Ex-Cal Student Last Seen On Golden Gate Bridge For more information, please see our Or, at least, balanced! The Jumpers | Psychology Today Your battle won matters. A. Has left me pretty much bankrupt and not willing to live. Your email address will not be published. Leads continue to come in, her parents said. 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Children are a major reason for living for many people who battle suicidal thoughts. First published on January 25, 2021 / 11:03 AM. Growing up Sydney was described as a sweet and goofy girl who wasnt afraid of being herself. I hope he is seeing a psychiatrist for his medications, not a PCP, because psychiatrists are much more well versed in the benefits, risks, side effects, etc. Has he tried cognitive behavior therapy? But what if you dont want help? SFGATE news editor Amy Graff contributed to this report. Dressed in a blue sweatshirt, leggings and Vans slip-on sneakers, the 19-year-old college student last contacted her family the day before with a lengthy phone call to her dad, Jay West. I just need time to tidy up affairs, belongings, finances, assemble the plan. But he didnt and will never know that what he had actually solved only his own problem- feeling/depression. And half of people who die by suicide had attempted suicide at least once previously. I inherited two guns from my Dad, and I will take possession of them this month. She was last seen wearing a light teal hoodie, dark leggings, and slip-on vans sneakers with dark green and black print. The chances of surviving. I tried to commit suicide when I was 18. But in reality, he cant know what the future holds. Healthcare sucks, Government sucks, Law Enforcement Sucks, the economy sucks, the housing market, job, market, and prospects suck, no body likes me, including myself, and I really dont like anyone else either. Another possibility is that the instinct to live kicks in once someone comes close to dying. I know that this surprises many people. Rhodes was the 90th person to jump to their death from the bridge in its short 11 year history, but the first who wanted to survive. People are stupid. You might be helped by connecting with other people who have attempted suicide and can understand not only what can lead a person to do that, but also what comes after. Jumpers | The New Yorker And its been a long term plan, for 35 years, but become refined in that time. She had moved in with friends in San Francisco, where she was living when she disappeared. Come home.. Hello Tony, so sorry for my belated response. Sydney West is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, but also grew up in the Pleasanton area. I would bet that most, if not all, had narcissistic mothers. At the age of 19, Kevin Hines attempted to commit suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, an all-too-common act that nearly always results in death. I fully expected to talk to her the next day, Jay West told KRON4. West, 19, disappeared on a foggy San Francisco morning, around 6:45 a.m. to 7 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30 on the Golden Gate Bridge. Challenges, extreme challenges. "Jump." That's the word Kevin Hines heard in his head on September 25, 2000, as he stood on the Golden Gate Bridge. I often want to jump off the bridge by my apartment. Suicide From the Golden Gate Bridge | American Journal of Psychiatry Anyone who has seen her since is also asked to contact San Francisco police at 415-575-4444 or the family's private investigator at 925-705-8328. For example, upon hearing me take total responsibility for the failure of my first marriage a gifted woman who is a counselor and pastor said, I typically find that both parties share responsibility equally. She was last seen in the area around 6:45 a.m. Photos purchased from Fotolia.com. SF]. Golden Gate Bridge Mystery: Where's Sydney West? Obviously, I failed. Thanks again for your thoughtful comment. At approximately 6:45 am, Sydney was captured by cameras entering the Golden Gate Bridge. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. She was last seen around 6:45 am when she was dropped off by a rideshare driver. I think it could be helpful to you. I am a three time attempt suicide survivor and it has been a year since my last attempt and the ideation has pretty much left me. Maybe in order to evade authorities who had refused permission to allow the jump legally 18 months earlier, he removed the weighted boots that were intended to keep him upright during the plunge. At least twelve hundred people have been seen jumping or have been found in the water since the bridge opened, in 1937, including Roy Raymond, the founder of Victoria's Secret, in 1993, and. Now I dont know if I can fight it, but coping with failure and constant depression is impossible. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. West was born in Walnut Creek and lived briefly in Castro Valley before her family moved to Pleasanton. It was the last thing Dusty did, and it was a failure, she said. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. I wonder what psychotherapy he has tried. A view of the Golden Gate Bridge with San Francisco behind it in January 1947. The sad thing is that, as I say in my letter, some of what your friend thinks and believes may actually be true, but his mind is probably also shutting him out of other truths that could balance out his pain. Ive been hospitalized 4 times in the past 6 weeks, after my 9th suicide attempt. San Francisco police and the Orange County Sheriffs Office in North Carolina did not immediately respond to a request for comment from SFGATE. I cant tell you how much of what you write touches me in some way. Maybe some of the posts on this site could be helpful to him? The West family has also upped its reward for her return to $25,000. Sydney West was last seen near the Golden Gate Bridge in the early morning hours of Sept. 30, walking near Crissy Field. Friends and family may rally to their side. Obviously, the will to live does not reassert itself in everyone who has tried to die. Enter your email address to receive notifications by email of new posts. Ive worked in Mental health, Ive lost a family member through suicide. A narcissistic parent doesnt cause suicide, either lifes problems do or mental illness does. Watching "The Bridge" -- a new documentary that captures 23 suicide jumps from the bridge . Hundreds more are stopped from harming themselves through the efforts of the Golden Gate Bridge District . San Francisco Police have previously said the teenager "is considered at risk due to depression." Lorraine Rhodes was destitute, and asked Show Folks of America to help pay for the funeral, which they did. Simply put unless you die the battle won or pain doesnt matter. It is always wonderful to hear from someone who made it out to the other side. Anyone with information is asked to call 415-575-4444. I am resigned to staying alive until I die in some other way. Press J to jump to the feed. It is also possible she was wearing eyeglasses instead of contact lenses. He struck the water with his face. He completed the challenge and won himself a taxi ride to New York. Someone mustve seen something nothing is being ruled out. Her family has stated that she enjoyed the area around the Golden Gate Bridge, and it was not unlike her to take pictures and go for a walk or run.