the golden gate bridge and suicide [ 10:43 ] Play Now | Play in Popup

The Golden Gate Bridge is the no. 1 suicide landmark in the world. It opened proudly in 1937, but less than two years — and 11 jumpers later — a local newspaper reported that the California Highway Patrol had already begun looking for ways to prevent “further suicidal leaps from the bridge.” An officer was quoted as saying that though “hardly 2 years old, the span gives promise of becoming a mecca for despondent persons seeking self-destruction.”

Ain’t that the truth.

In the subsequent 68 years over 1,300 people have sought the final solution to their real or perceived problems by plunging from its burnt orange deck into the frigid waters below.

panoramic bridge photo by Aaron Logan