The inside story of the grassroots fight to have a suicide barrier erected on Toronto’s “bridge of death.”
Most Torontonians have no idea their city once hosted the second most popular suicide magnet in North America, behind the Golden Gate Bridge. Since its completion in 1918, more than four hundred people jumped to their death from the Bloor Viaduct, which spans the cavernous Don Valley.
That number might still be rising if not for the tireless efforts of a group of volunteers, led by two citizens, who fought City Hall for years to get a suicide barrier erected. Not only did they win, they saved numerous lives and brought to light valuable research on how barriers actually lower suicide numbers overall. The resulting barrier — The Luminous Veil — has been praised for its ingenious and inspiring design.
The Suicide Magnet tells how the battle was won, and explores the ongoing efforts to help those suffering from mental health challenges.
Authors
- Pages
- 248
- Published in
- Toronto, CA
- Rights
- Paul McLaughlin
Table of Contents
- Cover 1
- Half Title 3
- Title 5
- Copyright 6
- Dedication 7
- Contents 9
- 1 Bridge of Troubled Souls 11
- 2 A Monument to Progress and Despair 21
- 3 An Unlikely Duo 31
- 4 The Fatal Attraction of Suicide Magnets 43
- 5 Ken Dryden Reacts Personally 59
- 6 The Stars Align 69
- 7 The Black Dogs 87
- 8 The Copycat Question 97
- 9 The Media and Suicide 111
- 10 The TTC Pushes the Stop Button 117
- 11 Death on the Rails 123
- 12 Al Birney’s Shining Moment 139
- 13 The Project Steering Committee in Wonderland 149
- 14 The Struggle Is Finally Over 163
- 15 A Vision (Partly) Realized 171
- 16 The Ironic Demise of Ellis Galea Kirkland 183
- 17 Backlash, Vindication, and Grief 191
- 18 The Veil Is Finally Lit 207
- 19 The Barrier Saved My Life 215
- Acknowledgements 229
- If You Need Help 231
- Image Credits 233
- Index 235
- About the Author 249
- Back Cover 250
