Some Niagara Regional Councillors are blaming the media for suicides at a bridge in St. Catharines.
This week Regional Councillors decided to move forward on barriers on the Burgoyne Bridge following a recommendation based on mental health research from Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Mustafa Hirji. (Read more on that here.)
Some councillors, including Fort Erie Regional Councillor Tom Insinna, blamed news coverage for deaths at the bridge.
Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati echoed his sentiments, agreeing that local news agencies are responsible for these deaths.
St. Catharines Standard Reporter Grant LaFleche says the councillors are saying news media shouldn't have covered the bridge at all: the construction, the cost, the investigation, any of it.
LaFleche says they're insinuating that any coverage at all has resulted in deaths.
Niagara Falls Councillor Bob Gale is accusing The Standard of irresponsible reporting after it published a story last week listing how councillors intended to vote on the issue of barriers.
CKTB, which is located right beside the bridge, decided early last year to start reporting on the increasing number of suicides at the bridge and closures of the highway.
Following a meeting with Niagara Region Public Health, CKTB was given a list of guidelines and recommendations when it comes to reporting these incidents in an attempt to avoid suicide contagion.
Dr. Hirji made it very clear that suicide contagion is real, and media must tred carefully when talking about it.
CKTB adheres to these guidelines, and includes a list of mental health resources in any story pertaining to the incidents at the bridge.
To read more about our decision to cover these events, click here.
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Suicide Prevention and Crisis/Distress Services Niagara:
Those at immediate risk for suicide call 911
If you or someone you know is in crisis or at risk for suicide:
COAST 1-866-550-5205 x 1 (Adults 16+)
Pathstone Mental Health 1-800-263-4944 (Children and Youth)
Distress Centre Niagara 905-688-3711 (St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Area all ages)
Crisis Services Canada 1-833-456-4566
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 24/7 texting service is accessible immediately to youth anywhere in Canada by texting TALK to 686868
Jeunesse J’ecoute 1-800-668-6868 TEXTO to 686868 to reach a French-speaking Crisis Responder
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line 1-855-242-3310
Ontario Text and Chat Service:
Dial 741741 from a mobile device - service available 2 – 7 p.m., 7 days a week
Centralized Access Services for Mental Health, Addictions and Community Supports in Niagara:
Mental Health and Addictions Access Line: 1-866-550-5205 Ext 2 (Adult 16+)
Contact Niagara: 1-800-933-3617 (Children and Youth)
InCommunities: 211 (all ages)
Other Helpful Urgent and emergency resources:
Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line 1-800-268-9688
Domestic Violence Hotline : Gillian's Place 905-684-8331
Sexual Abuse Hotline: Niagara Sexual Assault Centre- 905-682-4584
Child Abuse Hotline: Family and Children's Services- 1-888-937-7731
Emergency Shelters : Southridge 905-682-9901 Salvation Army 905-684-7813 (Full list available through 211)
Youth Shelter : The RAFT 905-984-4365 Nightlight (905) 358-3678 (Full list available through 211)
Adult Mental Health Urgent and Walk in services: Canadian Mental Health Association (times and locations of walk in available through Mental Health and Addictions Access Line – 1-866-550-5205 ext 2 Child and Youth Urgent and Walk in Services : Pathstone Mental Health 1-800-263-4944
Parent Resouce: Parent Talk Line 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7555
Family Resources: Mental Health: Family Mental Health Support Network 905-894-6808
Substance Abuse Urgent/prompt services: Community Addiction Services of Niagara 905-684-1183
Alcoholics Anonymous: Niagara (905) 682-2140
Housing Help (905) 984-8955
Seniors Services: Gatekeepers 905-684-0968