BRUNSWICK, Ga. – After losing her father and son to suicide, a Nahunta woman has made it her mission to prevent other families from experiencing similar heartbreak.
Shannon Denbow created a Change.org petition to urge Glynn County officials, the Georgia Department of Transportation and stakeholders to install suicide prevention barriers on the Sidney Lanier Bridge, a prominent landmark and the longest-spanning cable-stayed bridge in Georgia, which spans over 7,000 feet and is nearly 500 feet high.
Denbow said the bridge has been associated with many suicide attempts and deaths.
“Installing suicide prevention barriers on the Sidney Lanier Bridge is a concrete step we can take as a community to support those in despair. These barriers could save countless lives and spare many families the lifelong grief that follows such loss,” Denbow wrote in her petition.
The Georgia Department of Transportation told News4JAX on Friday that installing netting or other barricades on the bridge is not part of its “current infrastructure plans.”
Read GDOT’s full statement below:
“The safety and well-being of the public are priorities we take very seriously. While we continuously evaluate a wide range of safety measures, the department has determined that at this time, installing netting or other barricades on the bridge is not part of our current infrastructure plans. This decision is based on a number of considerations, including engineering feasibility, long-term maintenance, cost and broader safety strategies. That said, we remain committed to considering what the department can feasibly do beyond structural changes - in addition to the current signage that carries the phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - to help mitigate future such tragedies. This is a complex issue that requires coordination, compassion, and thoughtful solutions beyond structural changes.”
Jill Nagel, District Communications Officer at GDOT
According to Brunswick Police, since Jan. 1, 2023, there have been three confirmed suicides from the Sidney Lanier Bridge. In addition, in May of this year, two bodies were recovered from a small island near the bridge pilings. But that case has not been ruled a suicide and remains under investigation as a death investigation.
“We are in the early stages of developing a co-responder unit, where a behavioral health specialist would assist officers on calls involving individuals in crisis. The goal is to improve support and resources for those in need of assistance,” Chief Angela Smith wrote in a statement.
The city also said they’ve had 10 calls for service for a bridge welfare check this year, 10 last year and 13 in 2023.
Denbow said she won’t stop fighting until something is made better, and has taken it upon herself to reach out to officials who have installed similar safety fences in major bridges across the country.
The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the Penobscot Narrows Bridge in Maine are among them.
“One life is too many,” Denbow said.
Now, Denbow hopes her petition will add the Sidney Lanier Bridge to the list of bridges working toward suicide prevention.
“I just feel like it’s time. This community has been hurting from these situations before and one is enough,” Denbow said.
The Brunswick Police Department also said it will be partnering with faith-based organizations to conduct a prayer walk over the Sidney Lanier Bridge during Faith and Blue Weekend, which is October 10-13.
Here is a list of mental health resources available in Florida:
- UF Health St. Johns Behavioral Health Resource Center - open 24/7 with clinicians on staff and available to assist during a crisis. No appointment is needed.
- EPIC Behavioral Health Rapid Response Team – 24/7 service for individuals 26+, dial 988, and a response will occur within 60 minutes of the request.
- EPIC Access Support Center – Walk-in services for mental health at their North Campus, Northwest Campus, and Flagler Campus. If this service is needed, walk-in during hours or call (904) 495-7001.
- Mobile Response Team – 24/7 service for individuals 5-25 years old. Dial 988 or 911 and a response will occur within 60 minutes of the request.
- Vinson Foundation - A support group for St. Johns, Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach, and Orange Park, for families who lost someone to suicide.
- St. Augustine Youth Services: 904-829-1770
- Call 211 - Local experts are available 24/7 to help. Calls to 211 are confidential and can be anonymous.
- Hope for Healing Florida - Hope for Healing navigates the many ways Floridians can access help for mental health and substance abuse
These resources can be accessed nationwide.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - Call or text 988 for help. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in distress, prevention, and crisis resources for you or someone you know.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides resources for issues with mental health, drugs, or alcohol.
- Veterans Crisis Line - Text 838255 or call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1
- Crisis Text Line - Text “Home” to 741741
- Teen Line - Text “Teen” to 839863
If you or anyone you know needs help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.