Thank you for providing this site. Come home.. She was carrying a black backpack and her light brown hair was pulled back into a bun. Email: joshua.bote@sfgate.com and Signal: 707-742-3756, Six months after student's disappearance in San Francisco, family continues search, Horoscope for Saturday, 3/04/23 by Christopher Renstrom, Snowboarder dies at Tahoe ski resort following historic blizzard, West I-80 closed near Tahoe due to snow and 'multiple spinouts', Wife of Jeffrey Vandergrift issues somber update, Even Salesforces tower HQ isnt safe from office cuts, Inside Harry and Meghans favorite In-N-Out, Horoscope for Friday, 3/03/23 by Christopher Renstrom, Massive Lake Tahoe waterfront compound slashes price by $20M, This beloved East Bay hybrid cafe and bike shop is closing, Ja Morant says he'll get help after video shows apparent gun. The instant regret of jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge did not result in instant mental health recovery once Hines survived. And these different medications can be combined at various dosages. It is also possible she was wearing eyeglasses instead of contact lenses. Thank you for contributing to the discussion. "Together we will find Sydney and bring her home," her mother said. Footage in the area, according to a website the family recently set up in light of her disappearance, was blocked by fog and morning haze. My hope for others feeling like that is they tell someone who can help them. [This comment was edited to abide by the Comments Policy. r/redsox. I know there will be a lot of people out there who will think a certain thing happened to Sydney. It happens. Anyone interested in following the investigation may do so on Facebook or Instagram, and tag posts with #FindSydneyWest. Part of Audacy. Thanks for sharing, Anne. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. Rhodes also made the news in 1946 on a radio program called Truth or Consequences in which he was bizarrely tasked with living on a traffic island on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and La Brea for three weeks. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. You might be helped by connecting with other people who have attempted suicide and can understand not only what can lead a person to do that, but also what comes after. Your battle won matters. At 11:45 a.m. on Sept. 20, 2013 Kyle Gamboa stopped his truck in the middle of the highway, stepped out, ran onto the pedestrian walkway and jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge to his death. Im sorry to hear about all the pain youve been through. of the different medications. Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW, is the author of the books Helping the Suicidal Person: Tips and Techniques for Professionals and Loving Someone with Suicidal Thoughts: What Family, Friends, and Partners Can Say and Do. Anyone with information about Sydneys whereabouts is asked to contact private investigator Scott Dudek by texting or calling 925-705-8328. My overdose gave me seizures. SFGATE's Editor-at-Large Andrew Chamings is a British writer in San Francisco. Horrified spectators screamed and mothers covered their childrens eyes as Chief Sundowns lifeless body bobbed under the bridge and out to sea. When I arrived at the #FindSydneyWest vigil in Pleasanton, I said whoever is singing has a beautiful voice. Although severe depression led him to jump off the bridge, Kevin Hines has stated: "The very second I let go, I knew I had made a big mistake." He managed to turn himself upright in the few seconds it took for him to hit the water; this way, he did not land on his head. I woke up on my own after my first attempt. Maybe some of the posts on this site could be helpful to him? I couldnt pull all the way. Her family relocated to North Carolina in July 2017. For suicidal individuals and their loved ones, survivors, mental health professionals, & others who care, Although severe depression led him to jump off the bridge, Kevin Hines, Yet it gives me great hope that the vast majority of suicide attempt survivors remain just that survivors. He has no one else but me. Thank you. : The Fate of Suicide Attempt Survivors, A Follow-up Study of Suicide Attempters from. So they dont die, but continue miserable lives wishing for it to be over. Simply put unless you die the battle won or pain doesnt matter. The details of your life will, of course, be different but we have our humanness in common. The four-second fall from the Golden Gate Bridge sends a person plunging . 18 I held a gun to my head in my backyard w my finger on the trigger. You can find a life worth living, too, if you set your mind to finding solutions. Overall, a meta-analysis of numerous studies that looked at bridges suicide barriers found them to be effective. Sydney West never returned home, and has not been heard from since. Camera footage has been reviewed and interviews have been conducted among West's friends and acquaintances, but there are no leads. A view of the Golden Gate Bridge with San Francisco behind it in January 1947. Taking into account suicides that might have been missed by researchers, Dr. Seiden stated that 90% of people who tried to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge did not go on to die by suicide. In Mental Health circles there is a saying , that Sometimes suicide is inevitable. similar to cancer ads, etc. Background: Sydney West was born on July 11, 2001. For more information, please see our PART OF AUDACY NEWS. I dont understand why things are suddenly going so well for me though.. Youd think karma would hit me and make my life way worse but I guess the universe wants me alive for some reason? Her disappearance was every parents worst nightmare. Friends and family may rally to their side. YEAH? They understand the battle with weight loss and a zillion other things but not suicide. The night before she disappeared (Sept. 29) she and her father Jay West had a lengthy phone conversation according to her family. She was last seen in long, dark leggings, a teal hooded sweatshirt and slip-on Vans in a dark green and black print. There is not much known about the day Sydney disappeared. A jump off the Golden Gate Bridge takes around four seconds, during which a person will reach a speed of 80 mph before smashing into the water's surface like concrete. The story of Kevin Hines demonstrates the clarity that can finally appear when someones life is on the line. But, as you said, the problem is also bigger than a question of means. West was born in Walnut Creek and lived briefly in Castro Valley before her family moved to Pleasanton. T he Golden Gate Bridge is one of the top suicide sites in the world, surpassed only by the Yangtze River Bridge in Nanjing, China.People have jumped off of the bridge for nearly as long as it's been accessible to the public; the first recorded suicide a World War I veteran suspected to have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder took place less than three months after the . Its unfair. And I got very drunk every time I drank after that, which was quite often. She replied, She probably figured she could fix you. This was the beginning of my recognition of the fact that I wasnt the horrible person I made myself out to be, in fact, my story is very much like a lot of alcoholics Ive met. All theses years following, I did not feel good about myself, am reunited with my nephew, reading up on how to talk to him. Hi Joan. Suicide prevention can save lives. Each. He completed the challenge and won himself a taxi ride to New York. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. After the war, people were looking for entertainment in 1940's San Francisco, but TVs were not yet common in homes, public hangings were history and the 49ers hadnt joined the NFL yet. I tried commiting suicide and ended up brain dead Then after I got out of the coma, I was put in rehab for 11 months where I kept trying to break my neck and die because I missed my fiance so much (he wasnt allowed to visit me because he had attempted suicide with me too since he didnt want to live without me). She had moved in with friends in San Francisco, where she was living when she disappeared. Dealing with the guilt is the hardest thing I have ever dealt with. Trackback URL Between 1937 and 2012, an estimated 1,400 bodies were recovered of people who had jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge, located in the San Francisco Bay Area in the United States.. (felt good to be honest for once). I hope he is seeing a psychiatrist for his medications, not a PCP, because psychiatrists are much more well versed in the benefits, risks, side effects, etc. I am now 49, and I fantasize about suicide knowing I will never actually do it but wishing it was an option. Thank you for reaching out to Joan and offering your support. Sadly, your post is being used by some commenters to justify the Golden Gate Bridge net boondoggle. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This is perhaps why only one of Rhodes' three small parachutes opened, doing nothing to slow him down. For Kevin Hines, the will to live kicked in immediately. "There were many people in that vicinity during that time," said Mr. West. SF]. I hear you. And the children are adults now. Clad in two suits, weighted boots, football padding, another rubber suit and a football helmet that onlookers described as giving him a man-from-Mars look, Rhodes also had three parachutes on his back to ease his fall. In fact, the increase in suicides at other locations in Toronto did not make up for the dramatic decrease in suicides at the viaduct itself. I had my suicidal thoughts since I was a child I lost my mum when I was 9 years old she took her own life and even now after my attempt I still dont know how to feel about what happened to her and what I have done to my self but I know I will have to find a way to live with the impact of my attempt and hopefully find a way to some sort of happiness, Please seek help, therapy to work through your trauma, it must be so hard to have lost your mum in this way and your nine year old self could only feel abandoned, not enough to have stopped her. Enter your email address to receive notifications by email of new posts. Life.church has some really good online sermons I highly suggest that. Sydney Harbour Bridge has a suicide prevention barrier. I wish everyone could receive this gift, and I am grateful that you and others have done so! On average, 30 people or more die from suicide here each year. Yet it gives me great hope that the vast majority of suicide attempt survivors remain just that survivors. I guess I have started to realize its not my faultits no ones fault when a loved one commits suicide. We talked for a long time. Michael Horan at 415-553-1028 or the family's private investigator at 925-705-8328. She was also seen wearing black shorts at times and may have been wearing glasses, said her father, Jay West. All rights reserved. The family of a Sydney West, a 19-year-old Pleasanton native and former Foothill High School student, is again asking the public for any information about their daughters whereabouts leading up to her disappearance last month in San Francisco. What happens is if you dont kill yourself you spend the rest of your life being told you didnt mean it. She was last seen around 6:45 am when she was dropped off by a rideshare driver. Have you found commonality in your suicidal patients? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. So there are many, many more medications and medication combinations that he can try. For more information, click here. She vanished without a trace from San Francisco, California, near the Golden Gate Bridge, a popular tourist spot for many. Sydney West was last seen near the Golden Gate Bridge in the early morning hours of Sept. 30, walking near Crissy Field. Maybe I didnt want to think he could actually do it. Note: I wanted to make this post to hopefully create some sort of discussion around the case since it was almost a year and a half ago. The sad thing is that, as I say in my letter, some of what your friend thinks and believes may actually be true, but his mind is probably also shutting him out of other truths that could balance out his pain. A. In 2000, he actually did jump off the Golden Gate Bridge. I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. Being a freshman and isolated on campus due to the COVID pandemic was hard for West, her family said. Yes I know this fear of failure as well. Since Sept. 30, there has been no activity on her phone or credit cards. I am not sure anybody really wants to die but I know many people, including myself, who are just sick and tired of living and want it to be over. Ive been hospitalized 4 times in the past 6 weeks, after my 9th suicide attempt. If I make it, Ill have publicity and be on my way, Rhodes told a friend who later testified at the coroners inquest. The attempt was no cry for help. But as long as your solution is to kill yourself , you wont see them even if theyre right in front of you. Rhodes was the 90th person to jump to their death from the bridge in its short 11 year history, but the first who wanted to survive. Dr. Freedenthal also is an associate professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, and a psychotherapist and consultant in private practice. That is so sad, Julie. West, 20, grew up in Pleasanton, Calif. She was a star volleyball player at Foothill High School and loved singing at open mic nights. Getting through them is the way to make your life your own again.. Copyright 2013-2023 Stacey Freedenthal. I wonder if you might benefit from talking with like-minded folks at ChronicSuicideSupport.com. But the other day I told him that and now hes moving in with me again so my life is going good again! Generally, research into method substitution has found that blocking access to a suicide method results in fewer suicides overall, even when taking into consideration those suicides by people who found other ways to die. It would be logical to assume that being prevented from jumping merely delayed their death. The Golden Gate Bridge came to be recognized as a symbol of the power and progress of the United States, and it set a precedent for suspension-bridge design around the world. Precious few people survive such a fall; the water about 200 feet below acts the same as concrete when a person lands on it at high speed. I understand completely. suicide sometimes defies even the best efforts to thwart it, University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, http://www.SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources/#immediatehelp, If Only: Self-Blame After a Loved Ones Suicide, You Cant Do Everything: Limitations in Helping a Suicidal Person, a meta-analysis of numerous studies that looked at bridges suicide barriers, Generally, research into method substitution, 10 Things Not to Say to a Suicidal Person. Her family is not giving up hope that she is still alive and remains determined to find her. So in a couple days with no vehicle no money and no job, Im just supposed to trudge on, because life is precious or whatever other placating device people Banty about? Leads continue to come in, her parents said. Its not always a change of mind when deciding not to jump its fear of failure, Hi Londa, "No detail is too small," said her mother, Kimberly West. SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) The family of a UC Berkeley freshman who disappeared last September has offered a $10,000 reward for information in connection with the case. God Bless You. That changes things. I pray tonight. In fact, Dusty told his friend to shoot from the bridge as it would be more dramatic, and besides, he would easily be able to swim to shore to a congratulatory, awestruck crowd of beach goers. I wish you all the very best and I pray you each find a way to manage and control the thoughts of suicide. Praying for you. Have you read Whats In the Way Is the Way by Mary OMalley? Watching "The Bridge" -- a new documentary that captures 23 suicide jumps from the bridge . I have battled the thoughts of suicide for many years but after I had children those thoughts died. Even though a prior suicide attempt dramatically increases the risk for future suicide, studies have demonstrated that most people who survive a suicide attempt do not go on to die by suicide: There are different possible reasons why people who attempt suicide, or try to make such an attempt, might choose afterward to stay alive. Anyone in the Bay Area with any information regarding her disappearancecan contact Sgt. But things went wrong for Dusty as he climbed the rails to attempt the feat. I supported her desire to stop taking her medication. None of us can. The 265-foot plunge off the most famous bridge in the world was right in his wheelhouse, until it wasnt. Peace be with you Steven. For those who are thinking about suicide, I know what happens after youre gone isnt part of the thought process, but believe me, you might end your pain, but the trajectory of pain caused to others is also insurmountable. 10 Reasons Teens Avoid Telling Parents about Suicidal Thoughts. I am suicidal have been for the past week. The ongoing survival of people who attempt suicide is not (always) inevitable. Obviously, the will to live does not reassert itself in everyone who has tried to die. I am literally living day by day and full of guilt, regret and anger. West's family urges anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Scott Dudek, their investigator, who can be reached at 925-705-8328. Dont believe anyone who tells you differently. Ive worked in Mental health, Ive lost a family member through suicide. The entire bridge in covered with CCTV cameras monitored 24/7, and footage is retained for 6 months as it is federal land and monitored by Homeland Security. She was at Crissy Field, near the bridge. Written forwww.speakingofsuicide.com. Hundreds more are stopped from harming themselves through the efforts of the Golden Gate Bridge District . Maybe in order to evade authorities who had refused permission to allow the jump legally 18 months earlier, he removed the weighted boots that were intended to keep him upright during the plunge. Dayna. I tried by drinking mosquito poison. According to Find Sydney West, there is a $25,000 reward for information that leads to finding Syd, who is described as 5'10 tall and about 130 pounds with blue eyes and blonde hair. Her father grew worried when she didnt call the next day the day she was last spotted in San Francisco. The memoir Half in Love: Surviving the Legacy of Suicide captures very well, to a painful degree, how someone who deeply loves their children can simultaneously feel pulled to end her life. Im afraid to try again and it just adds for anger, desperation, loss of control over my own life and guilt for those in my life who have to worry. Sydneyhas not used her phone, social media or bank accounts since she disappeared. Kevin Briggs. Theres just a lack of evidence that shes not with us anyone, Jay West said. Look at life this way Instead of allowing a human being to be a target almost like a bomb dropping on ringed target Simply flip the idea of all the violence and fear over..Draw a Large Heart then several hearts within Make a plan for dreams and plans Stick to it .. The family of Sydney West is offering a $25,000 reward for her return. Sydney Kaitlyn West, 19, was last seen near the Golden Gate Bridge around 6:45 a.m. on September 30, 2020. I lost my boyfriend to suicide two years ago and I have not been able to forgive myself. Any information could help so if you know anyone that was in that area around that time, please use contact information provided below. Rhodes had been seeking fame all his life, and successfully became one of Hollywoods first stuntmen, appearing in movies such as "Under Arizona Skies" and "Duel in the Sun," in which he performed a cliff jump. We dont like living in pain, and we look for ways of ending that pain and, being creatures of habit, we do it in old familiar ways because thats what we know. BERKELEY, CA The parents of Sydney "Syd" West, a missing person who was previously a University of California, Berkeley student, have divulged new details in her case and are asking anyone with information to come forward. "We have a lot of people that are asking us for information.". She was last seen in the area around 6:45 a.m. It is believed that she had moved out of the dorms into an apartment with some friends near campus. It may help,, Kind Regards, The chances of surviving. I am sure your little self felt am I not lovable enough but it was never about you, your mum was in pain and obviously thought you would be better off without her, but it is not a reflection on you, hard to accept as children are programmed to feel the centre of the world. She talked to herfather on the phone the day before shewent missing. Same with divorce. Its complicated, Bay Area city cracks top 10 best for sleep: US News, JV talked about health struggles before disappearance, Martinez residents warned not to eat food grown in, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. As his wife described, without the weighted boots to keep him upright, Rhodes' body arched forward, eventually meeting the water face-first. "On Aug. 20, 1985, I jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge, and I survived." Ken Baldwin was 28 years old and had just started a family. I want you to know you are loveable and precious. Aside from seeing a therapist, I didnt find anything out there to help. San Francisco Police have previously said the teenager "is considered at risk due to depression." But its possible theres not more you could have done. What Dr. Seiden found is a remarkable testament to the fact that a suicidal crisis is often very often temporary. Children are a major reason for living for many people who battle suicidal thoughts. Precious few people survive such a fall; the water about 200 feet below acts the same as concrete when a person lands on it at high speed. A couple hours. Interviews with jump survivors and potential jumpers . Shortly after 1 p.m. on March 8, San Francisco officials pulled the fully clothed body of a 56-year-old white man from the waves off secluded Marshall's Beach, just south of the Golden Gate Bridge. Lorraine Rhodes was destitute, and asked Show Folks of America to help pay for the funeral, which they did. Simply put, means restriction saves lives. Photos purchased from Fotolia.com. She failed at killing herself and learned a different process of questions to see her feelings. God will come through for you but you have to make an attempt. He might also have refused to remove the gun from the home, too. In February 2009, following the murder of a four-year-old girl who was thrown off the bridge by her father, the first stage of a temporary suicide barrier was erected on Westgate Bridge, constructed of concrete crash barriers topped with a welded mesh fence. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. My brother did the same in 2002. ive suffered depression for Years, 2 suicide attempts in 2008. My family lied to me about basically everything relevant and valuable in life. There were probably signs that you had a drinking problem from the very beginning. It was a startling revelation. Female Representation In The Tech And Startup World: UC Berkeley, Berkeley Asks Residents To Provide Input On Wildfire Response, American Tulip Day & Free, U-Pick-Tulips 2023: Union Square, San Francisco, Rotary Club's Drive-Thru Crab & Pasta Feed 2023: Orinda. This Walking Pad treadmill made getting 10,000 steps a How to get tickets for Depeche Mode's new tour dates. I wanted to talk with others in the same situation but I could understand how that may not be in the best interest of either party. what can I do. While in Australia she started blogging about beginning to experience bouts of depression on top of her anxiety. The decision collapsed Rhodes sister's claim that her brother was murdered as cameraman Guzman should have been in a boat to pull her brother out of the water. I feel selfish but I feel like I still have to be brave for people because of their fear I might try again. Sydney West's parents confirmed she was last seen on the Golden Gate Bridge. Car plunges off California elevated highway, 3 people killed. My passion for helping suicidal people stems from my own lived experience with suicidality and suicide loss. At 10 o'clock in the morning, Ken. Therapists and doctors may help provide relief. True or false is a perception that changes from person to person. I put up a front so my kids wont end up the same way. Her family launched a website,findsydneywest.com, that they hope will remind the community Sydney is still missing. [This comment was edited, per the Comments Policy. Rhodes press agent, Susan Todd, told reporters that Dusty had painstakingly calculated the speed of his fall, how he would hit the water and other details, as he did when he prepared for his movie stunts. We talked a lot about loving each other. West took a rideshare service to the Golden Gate Bridge; the driver cooperated with San Francisco police and is not believed to be a suspect. There is a strength within you. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. More women attempt suicide but more men complete it because men use more lethal methods. I also knew that there was no hope whatsoever for what was wrong with me. I meant it, and I almost succeeded. It is important to note that there has been no activity on her phone, bank accounts, or social media accounts since Sept. 30. Reports said West would often visit the bridge for runs, walks, and to take pictures. She has blonde hair and blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a sweatshirt, dark-colored shorts and blue Vans sneakers. Your email address will not be published. They planned to reconvene in L.A. the following day to hatch a plan to monetize the footage. I cant get beyond the pain. Required fields are marked *. Email: Andrew.Chamings@sfgate.com | Twitter: @AndrewChamings. These findings are consistent with other studies that have looked at method substitution, which can occur when one suicide method is made unavailable and people substitute it with another. I once attributed that simply to having realized I wanted to live and (narrowly) surving my attempt. An estimated 1,600 people have committed suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, which has warnings but no barrier. West is 5'10" and slender at 130 pounds, with blue eyes and light brown hair.