WARNING: This story contains details about suicide and self-harm
Mental health crises on Mission Bridge have called supports and infrastructure into question.
Mission RCMP reported in June that a youth was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after jumping from Mission Bridge. On Thursday (July 3), Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper formally called for suicide prevention measures to be implemented by the province.
Over the past four years, 29 lives were lost to suicides in Mission, according to data from BC Coroners Service. The 29 deaths included six in 2021, eight in 2022, 10 in 2023, and five in 2024. BC Coroners Service said numbers are preliminary and subject to change as investigations are completed.
In 2023, Mission council asked the Ministry of Transportation and local MLAs to work to identify an anti-suicide barrier for the bridge. Gasper said the province has ignored community warnings and failied to act.
鈥淭he bridge remains completely unprotected鈥攄espite a formal request for safety barriers made by Mission city council more than a year ago,鈥� Gasper said.
According to a news release, the Abbotsford-Mission MLA requested an urgent meeting with the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTT) and Minister of Health.
In a statement to the Mission Record prior to Gasper鈥檚 comments, MOTT said it has explored the feasibility of adding safety infrastructure to the Mission Bridge.
鈥淭he Ministry of Transportation and Transit takes suicide deterrence seriously and works closely with local law enforcement, the Provincial Health Services Authority and key stakeholders to ensure comprehensive efforts are in place 鈥� However, it鈥檚 been determined that deterrents such as fencing or netting are not suitable due to the bridge鈥檚 structure and size,鈥� MOTT said.
鈥淒espite these limitations, the ministry remains committed to exploring alternative suicide deterrence measures at the Mission Bridge and will continue to collaborate with partners to identify solutions that align with provincial priorities,鈥�
The Conservative Party of BC news release said Mission doesn鈥檛 have the mental health supports required to meet the needs of people in crisis, and noted a need for netting like other bridges across North America.
Gasper said the province needs to fix the issue before another life is lost.
鈥淲e can鈥檛 bring back the lives we鈥檝e lost, but we can protect those still at risk of stepping onto Mission鈥檚 suicide bridge in crisis,鈥� said Gasper.
The Fraser Health Crisis Line can be reached at 604-951-8855 or 1-877-820-7444.
