Did the suicide barrier work after all Revisiting the Bloor Viaduct natural experiment and its impact on suicide rates in Toronto

Abstract

Objective This research aims to determine the long-term impact of the Bloor Street Viaduct suicide barrier on rates of suicide in Toronto and whether media reporting had any impact on suicide rates. Design Natural experiment. Setting City of Toronto, Canada; records at the chief coroner's office of Ontario 1993-2003 (11 years before the barrier) and 2004-2014 (11 years after the barrier). Participants 5403 people who died by suicide in the city of Toronto. Main outcome measure Changes in yearly rates of suicide by jumping at Bloor Street Viaduct, other bridges including nearest comparison bridge and walking distance bridges, and buildings, and by other means. Results Suicide rates at the Blo..