The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Tay Bridge boss says volunteer bridge patrols are not needed
Suicide prevention group has called on people to help stop incidents
The chairman of the Tay Road Bridge has said plans for volunteer patrols to prevent suicides are not necessary and praised staff for doing an “exemplary” job.
A new group, Blue Wings Suicide Prevention, has called on people to help it patrol the bridge and talk to people who have gone there because they are experiencing a mental health crisis.
Robbie Russell, the group’s founder, wants to station volunteers at either side of the crossing.
A Facebook post on Tuesday was soon shared hundreds of times with about 200 people expressing a desire to get involved.
Tay Road Bridge chairman Stewart Hunter said he appreciated people’s concerns but insisted bridge staff were already doing a huge amount of unseen work.
He said: “I can reassure them that the staff on the bridge are trained and well equipped to deal with any situation that occurs on the bridge supported of course by our emergency services.
“For obvious reasons the details behind any incident on the bridge remain confidential but I can say that the way staff have handled them has been exemplary and I, and the rest of the board, are proud of them and hugely indebted to the work that they have done and continue to do.”
The Blue Wings Suicide Prevention group has been created partially in reaction to Tayside’s under-fire mental health services.
An independent inquiry into the area’s facilities is ongoing while a BBC documentary was recently aired alleging malpractice at Dundee psychiatric facility The Carseview Centre.
It also comes as a petition is being circulated calling for a 24-hour emergency mental health crisis centre in the city.
The call has been backed by the family of Dundee man Lee Welsh, who took his own life in August last year.
Mr Hunter added: “The bridge manager and myself are willing to meet with the proposed volunteers to discuss what staff on the bridge already do.
“I can also say that the board is very proactive at looking at ways we can help. However, anything we do must be workable, feasible and proven to work. Anything less than this would let down the very people we are trying to help.”
If you feel suicidal, or need someone to talk to, Samaritans volunteers can help. Contact them on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org.