Plea to do more to help people who try to take their own lives at bridge

A COUNCILLOR has welcomed efforts to address suicide attempts at the Humber Bridge but said more needs to be done to tackle mental-health issues.

Hessle Liberal Democrat councillor David Nolan said locals had come to dread the sound of helicopters flying over the area, as many take it as a sign of a person attempting to take their own life at the bridge.

He praised volunteers who run a hot drinks stall in the Humber Bridge Country Park as part of the Emotional Wellbeing Hub, which is co-ordinated by the Humber Bridge Board.

The Hub is staffed by trained volunteers on hand to talk about issues visitors may be facing and to point them towards services which can help.

Coun Nolan said mental-health issues were close to home, with his own son having struggled as a teenager.

He added his family’s experience in trying to get treatment left him feeling that more resources were needed to tackle the issues.

He said: “This has been going on at the Humber Bridge for a number of years now. Whenever you hear a helicopter flying overhead you dread it.

“I came across this when I was walking my dog and I saw two ladies outside the Health and Wellbeing

Hub by the Humber Bridge car park.

“Often when people go to attempt to take their own lives they park up there before walking across the bridge itself.

“So I stopped and chatted to the volunteers about the work they’re doing. I think it’s a practical step in the right direction.

“But it won’t solve the problem – they’re only there for a couple of hours at a time.”

The Emotional Wellbeing Hub is open on Friday from 11am to 1pm, Saturday from 10.30am to 12.30pm and Sunday, 11am to 1pm and is looking for volunteers, with anyone interested asked to email: Jokent16@gmail.com.