[Exclusive] Missing 'Suicide Prevention Phrase'... No Scientific Verification [Hangang Bridge SOS]

④Suicide Prevention Message Removed Without Basis
Potential Side Effects Raised at 2021 Advisory Meeting
No Verification Process Using Objective Figures or Data

It has been confirmed that proper scientific verification was not conducted when the 'suicide prevention phrases' on Han River bridges were removed in 2021. The Seoul Metropolitan Government claimed that an imprint effect of 'extreme choice = Han River bridge' occurred, but there was no objective data to support this. As a result, there are calls for various policy measures to be implemented simultaneously to prevent the increasing number of jumpers into the Han River each year.

According to the 'Han River Bridge Life Bridge Advisory Meeting Results Report' obtained by Asia Economy through an information disclosure request on the 27th, a meeting was held on the afternoon of March 2, 2021, in the 8th-floor conference room of the Seoul City Hall main building. Three members from the Seoul City Bridge Safety Division and five advisory committee members from the Seoul Mental Health Review Committee, Central Psychological Autopsy Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare Suicide Prevention Policy Division, Korea Suicide Prevention Association, and Seoul Suicide Prevention Center gathered for the meeting.

This meeting was held in response to the Seoul Metropolitan Council's request to re-verify the effectiveness of removing the suicide prevention phrases on the Hangang Bridge. Accordingly, Seoul formed an advisory group to collect opinions. The advisory group judged that the suicide prevention phrases had little effect and that their side effects were concerning, so removal was deemed appropriate.

Suicide prevention message installed on Mapo Bridge.
[Photo by Asia Economy DB]

The advisory opinions included statements such as “Since phrases and slogans are subjectively perceived, the existing installed phrases could have adverse effects and should be removed,” “While some studies show that phrases were effective in reducing suicides, other studies express concerns that they might encourage suicide,” “It is difficult to find research on the effectiveness of psychological stabilization messages. The direction should be toward removal rather than maintenance,” “There is no basis to claim suicide prevention effects, and they are considered unnecessary,” and “It is difficult to specify prevention phrases that increase effectiveness for suicide attempters.”

However, only the possibility of side effects of the suicide prevention phrases was mentioned, and no objective figures or data were presented.

Seoul removed suicide prevention phrases from Mapo Bridge in 2019 and Hangang Bridge in 2021 and installed safety railings. Suicide prevention phrases were one of the major policies promoted by the late Park Won-soon, former mayor of Seoul. In 2012, phrases selected through a public contest were first installed on Mapo Bridge, along with light-emitting diode (LED) lighting.

Suicide prevention phrases were engraved on Hangang Bridge in 2013, with many celebrities participating, including opera singer Jo Sumi, actor Ha Jung-woo, singer Lee Hyori, and gymnast Son Yeon-jae. However, doubts about the effectiveness of preventing jumpers arose in 2015, and some controversial phrases such as “Are you good at swimming?” were removed.

The basis for promoting the removal of suicide prevention phrases was the increase in suicide attempts from Han River bridges. However, if this logic is applied, current safety railings and other measures could also be concluded to have no policy effect.

According to the Seoul Fire & Disaster Headquarters, the number of jumpers into the Han River has increased every year: 430 cases in 2018, 504 in 2019, 474 in 2020, 626 in 2021, 1000 in 2022, and 1035 in 2023. In the cases of Mapo Bridge and Hangang Bridge, the number of jumpers has not decreased even after the removal of suicide prevention phrases. Mapo Bridge saw an increase from 155 cases in 2018 to 255 in 2022, and Hangang Bridge increased from 60 to 105 during the same period.

In the 'Study on the Development of Recommendations for Suicide Prevention Facilities on Bridges' conducted by Hanyang University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation under the Ministry of Health and Welfare in 2020 (led by Professor Jung Jin-wook), the following policy packages were recommended: ▲ physical barriers such as railings or fences at least 2.8 meters high ▲ surveillance and detection devices such as CCTV, infrared, and radar ▲ alarm sounds, broadcast speakers, and warning lights ▲ counseling phones, emergency bells, and water rescue equipment ▲ suicide prevention signs and phrases ▲ cultural and artistic facilities for psychological and emotional support ▲ lighting facilities such as fluorescent screens.

The research team stated in the report, “Suicide prevention signs should be installed at bridge entrances and sections where jump attempts mainly occur,” and “Although some phrases installed on certain bridges were criticized for insufficient preventive effects or causing side effects, rather than completely abolishing them, it is necessary to consider devising and installing phrases that can have positive effects.”

※ If you have difficult-to-talk-about concerns such as depression or know family or acquaintances experiencing such difficulties, you can receive expert counseling 24 hours a day by calling the suicide prevention counseling hotline ☎109.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.