Suicide Magnet

Inside the Battle to Erect a Safety Barrier on Toronto’s Bloor Viaduct

Häftad, Engelska, 2024

205 kr

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Beskrivning

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, narrowly behind the Golden Gate Bridge. Since its completion in 1918, more than 400 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 brought to light valuable research on how barriers actually lower suicide numbers overall, and saved numerous lives. 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.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2024-01-18
Mått:152 x 228 x 25 mm
Vikt:340 g
Format:Häftad
Språk:Engelska
Antal sidor:248
Förlag:Dundurn Group Ltd
ISBN:9781459751408
Utmärkelser:Nominated for Heritage Toronto Book Award 2024 (Canada)

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Mer om författaren

Paul McLaughlin is a highly experienced and award-winning freelance writer, broadcaster, and teacher. The author of 2022’s Asking the Best Questions, he has written numerous books, articles, and playscripts. He lives in Toronto, where he teaches professional writing at York University.

Recensioner i media

Invaluable for the light it sheds on crucial mental health issues, on abuse and despair. His agonistic account empowers us all in showing what courageous citizens, facing formidable adversity, ignited and accomplished in their years-long struggle for a life-saving and beautiful suicide deterrent, transforming Toronto’s Bloor Street Viaduct from a place of darkness to one of light.

Innehållsförteckning

1 Bridge of Troubled Souls2 A Monument to Progress and Despair3 An Unlikely Duo4 The Fatal Attraction of Suicide Magnets5 Ken Dryden Reacts Personally6 The Stars Align7 The Black Dogs8 The Copycat Question9 The Media and Suicide10 The TTC Pushes the Stop Button11 Death on the Rails12 Al Birney’s Shining Moment13 The Project Steering Committee in Wonderland14 The Struggle Is Finally Over15 A Vision (Partly) Realized16 The Ironic Demise of Ellis Galea Kirkland17 Backlash, Vindication, and Grief18 The Veil Is Finally Lit19 The Barrier Saved My LifeAcknowledgementsIf You Need HelpIndexAbout the Author