It would be logical to assume that being prevented from jumping merely delayed their death. I tried by drinking mosquito poison. I love to see that in the Comments section; I find it beautiful when people can connect in this way and, even more, when someone can tell another person what they havent believed for themselves. I wonder what psychotherapy he has tried. 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. It was in 1984. We talked for a long time. Thank you for contributing to the discussion. PART OF AUDACY NEWS. Your comments are false. Confessed to my dad and got shipped to a hospital. She talked to herfather on the phone the day before shewent missing. West was born in Walnut Creek and lived briefly in Castro Valley before her family moved to Pleasanton. This site continues to distract me from my suicidal thoughts. 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. Dr. Freedenthal also is an associate professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, and a psychotherapist and consultant in private practice. News. How could I have been so stupid? And the children are adults now. Any information could help so if you know anyone that was in that area around that time, please use contact information provided below. Previously, police said she had not been seen or heard from since before dawn, on Sept. 29. She was last seen wearing a light teal hoodie, dark leggings, and slip-on vans sneakers with dark green and black print. She was, for a period of time, carrying a black backpack that she frequently used to get around town. West returned to the Bay Area for college at UC Berkeley after her family moved from Pleasanton to North Carolina several years ago. West took a rideshare service to the Golden Gate Bridge; the driver cooperated with San Francisco police and is not believed to be a suspect. . Once her gap year was over, she moved back to California decided to attend U.C. Someone may have seen something -- any piece of information could help lead us to Sydney," parents Kimberly and Jay West said in a joint statement. She was a student at Donlon Elementary and Hart Middle schools and attended Foothill High School for her freshman and sophomore years. 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. At this point I feel like Ill just maim myself or end up locked up for a minimum of six months( yes thats happened to me). Her father grew worried when she didnt call the next day the day she was last spotted in San Francisco. Note: I wanted to make this post to hopefully create some sort of discussion around the case since it was almost a year and a half ago. I had my suicidal thoughts since I was a child I lost my mum when I was 9 years old she took her own life and even now after my attempt I still dont know how to feel about what happened to her and what I have done to my self but I know I will have to find a way to live with the impact of my attempt and hopefully find a way to some sort of happiness, Please seek help, therapy to work through your trauma, it must be so hard to have lost your mum in this way and your nine year old self could only feel abandoned, not enough to have stopped her. They would split the profits from the film 50/50. It was a serious, intentional attempt to end my own life. The details of your life will, of course, be different but we have our humanness in common. 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. Im not sure that preventing suicide is such a noble act. Reach out to someone, anyone because I can tell you they have no idea how you feel. 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 am literally living day by day and full of guilt, regret and anger. For those who are thinking about suicide, I know what happens after youre gone isnt part of the thought process, but believe me, you might end your pain, but the trajectory of pain caused to others is also insurmountable. I am sure your little self felt am I not lovable enough but it was never about you, your mum was in pain and obviously thought you would be better off without her, but it is not a reflection on you, hard to accept as children are programmed to feel the centre of the world. Cookie Notice One desperate and hurt person to another. How Parents Can Support a Child With Suicidal Thoughts, Suicide Survivor Stories Empowered Me to Live, How Ive Survived and Thrived with Suicidal Thoughts, A Personal Note to Readers of Speaking of Suicide, Helping the Suicidal Person: Tips and Techniques for Professionals, psychotherapist and consultant in private practice. My failure as a person was responsible for my extreme step. Also, on the Resources page, I list a number of websites and other resources for people who have lost someone to suicide. An estimated 1,600 people have committed suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, which has warnings but no barrier. Tears ago, when my children were younger, I actually reached a point where I went beyond imagining the trauma and lifelong suffering, to my children; such was my pain. Ive been hospitalized 4 times in the past 6 weeks, after my 9th suicide attempt. But the other day I told him that and now hes moving in with me again so my life is going good again! The suicide barrier on the Sydney Harbour Bridge simply rerouted jumpers to a cliff popularly known as The Gap. Even though a prior suicide attempt dramatically increases the risk for future suicide, studies have demonstrated that most people who survive a suicide attempt do not go on to die by suicide: There are different possible reasons why people who attempt suicide, or try to make such an attempt, might choose afterward to stay alive. As his wife described, without the weighted boots to keep him upright, Rhodes' body arched forward, eventually meeting the water face-first. And they did for the Hollywood stuntmans attempt to sail off the Golden Gate Bridge on Feb. 6, 1948. In 2000, he actually did jump off the Golden Gate Bridge. Between 1937 and 2012, an estimated 1,400 bodies were recovered of people who had jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge, located in the San Francisco Bay Area in the United States. Please enter valid email address to continue. Berkeley. Hi Joan. I died that day too. I inherited two guns from my Dad, and I will take possession of them this month. The man who tried to find fame by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, Horoscope for Saturday, 3/04/23 by Christopher Renstrom, Snowboarder dies at Tahoe ski resort following historic blizzard, West I-80 closed near Tahoe due to snow and 'multiple spinouts', Wife of Jeffrey Vandergrift issues somber update, Even Salesforces tower HQ isnt safe from office cuts, Inside Harry and Meghans favorite In-N-Out, Horoscope for Friday, 3/03/23 by Christopher Renstrom, Massive Lake Tahoe waterfront compound slashes price by $20M, This beloved East Bay hybrid cafe and bike shop is closing, Ja Morant says he'll get help after video shows apparent gun. Obviously, I failed. It may feel 100% true to him. The ongoing survival of people who attempt suicide is not (always) inevitable. Anyone interested in following the investigation may do so on Facebook or Instagram, and tag posts with #FindSydneyWest. But the cameras lost sight of her because of heavy fog, making it impossible to know what happened. My mother battled w depression I watched her battle hard all my life and still. It seems to be an if all else fails, Ill just kill myself attempt to cope that gives me short-term comfort but itlike alcoholonly provides temporary relief and Im still left with my limited ability to cope with life. In 2013, 118 potential jumpers were talked down from their attempts and did not jump. When I will be talking to him, also sure helps me to see I am suicide attempt survivor. My name is Steven. "Syd," as she liked to be called, was initially thought to have last been seen or heard from early the morning of September 30 in the Crissy Field area. She failed at killing herself and learned a different process of questions to see her feelings. Thanks for sharing your story here. I know someone who hanged themself 18 months ago after a buildup of personal problems and much alcohol that night, but rescue services were called and saved him. A narcissistic parent doesnt cause suicide, either lifes problems do or mental illness does. About his dads suicide, your article helping me a lot to help. 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. Anyone with information is asked to call 415-575-4444. Many self harm injuries, stitches. Not having the courage to fulfill my plan, I checked into treatment centers and each time I checked out I sank into suicidal depression again. Im sorry to hear of your loss Getting through them is the way to make your life your own again.. Try convincing someone like me that life is worth it. Dealing with the guilt is the hardest thing I have ever dealt with. I couldnt pull all the way. My sons father committed suicide and in the moments he was alive after shooting himself he kept saying sorry I shouldnt have never done this over and over. The 265-foot plunge off the most famous bridge in the world was right in his wheelhouse, until it wasnt. I am now 49, and I fantasize about suicide knowing I will never actually do it but wishing it was an option. It's not hard to kill yourself at the Golden Gate bridge. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 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. The Golden Gate net project is like putting a bandaid on an ulcer. I feel selfish but I feel like I still have to be brave for people because of their fear I might try again. In the midst of a struggle with mental illness, Hines got a running start . Its complicated, Bay Area city cracks top 10 best for sleep: US News, JV talked about health struggles before disappearance, Martinez residents warned not to eat food grown in, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Perfectly so. Interviews with jump survivors and potential jumpers . At approximately 6:45 am, Sydney was captured by cameras entering the Golden Gate Bridge. Thanks for sharing, Anne. I know there will be a lot of people out there who will think a certain thing happened to Sydney. I just read your post. The decision collapsed Rhodes sister's claim that her brother was murdered as cameraman Guzman should have been in a boat to pull her brother out of the water. In the midst of a struggle with mental illness, Hines got a running start . In February 2009, following the murder of a four-year-old girl who was thrown off the bridge by her father, the first stage of a temporary suicide barrier was erected on Westgate Bridge, constructed of concrete crash barriers topped with a welded mesh fence. Although severe depression led him to jump off the bridge, Kevin Hines has stated: The very second I let go, I knew I had made a big mistake.. Aside from seeing a therapist, I didnt find anything out there to help. This Walking Pad treadmill made getting 10,000 steps a How to get tickets for Depeche Mode's new tour dates. She is 5 10 tall and weighs 130 pounds. That is no way to live, but that is the reality. Sure if youve got someone/s to bail you out after your attempt, yeah youve got a reason to live. "No detail is too small," said her mother, Kimberly West. It happens. As of 2013, it is estimated that 34 people have survived after jumping. Good luck to your friend, Julie, and thanks for commenting. I understand completely. Afterward, I was disgusted and angry. According to San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) her family reported her missing two days after she was last seen on Oct 2, 2020. I just hope that one day her family will get answers. Its death toll has since been surpassed only by the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge in China.. Lorraine Rhodes was destitute, and asked Show Folks of America to help pay for the funeral, which they did. (felt good to be honest for once). Its great to hear that things are going well for you now. My overdose gave me seizures. and the evidence around them is not good. Others need to respect the decision. I am very sorry for your loss. I wanted to talk with others in the same situation but I could understand how that may not be in the best interest of either party. On the morning of September 30, 2020, Sydney took a ride share service to the Golden Gate Bridge, where she often went to jog, practice yoga, and exercise in nearby Crissy Field. I put up a front so my kids wont end up the same way. At this point, the instinct is what keeps me living. Theres another post that might be helpful to you, too: You Cant Do Everything: Limitations in Helping a Suicidal Person. The Golden Gate Bridge crosses the Golden Gate Strait and connects the City of San Francisco and the County of Marin to the north. San Francisco Police have previously said the teenager "is considered at risk due to depression." Has he tried cognitive behavior therapy? San Francisco police and the Orange County Sheriffs Office in North Carolina did not immediately respond to a request for comment from SFGATE. Andrew was formerly a Creative Executive at Westbrook Studios. Reports said West would often visit the bridge for runs, walks, and to take pictures. Which will turn into the vicious cycle of no job= no money, and no money = no job. He once tried to jump off the Aloha Tower in Honolulu only to be thwarted at the last minute by police. Challenges, extreme challenges. On average, 30 people or more die from suicide here each year. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Its a really simple concept. I fully expected to talk to her the next day, Jay West told KRON4. 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. The chances of surviving. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. All clues so far, the family has revealed, have not been fruitful. . Also, I've authored the books Helping the Suicidal Person: Tips and Techniques for Professionals and Loving Someone with Suicidal Thoughts: What Family, Friends, and Partners Can Say and Do. Despite having to raise two young children alone with barely a cent to her name, Lorraine refused many offers from news agencies to sell the film of her husbands demise. He completed the challenge and won himself a taxi ride to New York. I am not sure anybody really wants to die but I know many people, including myself, who are just sick and tired of living and want it to be over. [This comment was edited, per the Comments Policy. Everything says Get help. 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. Of the 515 people whose attempt was interrupted, only 35 later died by suicide in the years to come. The corpse was pulled from the water by the Coast Guard a mile from the bridge 20 minutes later. His passing causes lots of pain, sadness and changed others lives entirely. A view of the Golden Gate Bridge with San Francisco behind it in January 1947. BERKELEY, CA The parents of Sydney "Syd" West, a missing person who was previously a University of California, Berkeley student, have divulged new details in her case and are asking anyone with information to come forward. The night before she disappeared (Sept. 29) she and her father Jay West had a lengthy phone conversation according to her family. Her disappearance was every parents worst nightmare. Have had lots of therapy after that. 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. There is only a 4ft safety rail separating the sidewalk from the void, and 98% of suicide attempts there have succeeded. I often want to jump off the bridge by my apartment. Although severe depression led him to jump off the bridge, Kevin Hines has stated: "The very second I let go, I knew I had made a big mistake." After my attempt at suicide, I tried to find information about my feelings and what others were feeling. January 25, 2021 / 11:03 AM 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 . They understand the battle with weight loss and a zillion other things but not suicide. This is perhaps the best argument for preventing suicide. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Rhodes press agent, Susan Todd, told reporters that Dusty had painstakingly calculated the speed of his fall, how he would hit the water and other details, as he did when he prepared for his movie stunts. I did find this website and it has so much information that I needed to read. He now works daily, and diligently, to manage continued symptoms that can include depression and hearing voices. Dont believe anyone who tells you differently. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Thanks again for your thoughtful comment. I think this message needs to be made more clear and put in ads, etc. Shortly after 1 p.m. on March 8, San Francisco officials pulled the fully clothed body of a 56-year-old white man from the waves off secluded Marshall's Beach, just south of the Golden Gate Bridge. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. I am a survivor as well of rape and spousal abuse, Am feeling empowered today, thanks to you. PLEASANTON, Calif. (KRON) Nearly a year has gone by since a Bay Area college student, Sydney West, vanished in San Francisco. Those two have shown some effectiveness at reducing suicidal ideation and behavior. Sign promoting a 24/7 crisis text line on the Golden Gate Bridge. Indie Pop Star Michelle Lambert Kicks Off the Bankhead Courtyard Concert Series!