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Charity Puts Up Anti-Suicide Sign On Bridge That People “Vandalized” With Positivity, Turns Out Brits Love To Do That (35 Pics)
Recently, the subreddit r/HumansBeingBros featured a viral photo of a Samaritans suicide prevention sign pinned on one of the bridges in London that’s been “vandalized” by anonymous people’s positive thoughts and words of hope.
While the sign itself served the purpose of convincing a potential suicide victim to step away from the ledge and to seek help, others used a marker to write things like You are loved, Your friends would rather hear your problems than go to your funeral, and other positive phrases.
A suicide prevention sign was recently "vandalized" with positivity in London—turns out, Brits are very eager to share positive messages as it's not the first!
Image credits: Cookacka
One such person, Paige Hunter, has stood out with her suicide prevention notes found in Sunderland, England
As it turns out, a number of Brits are very active and open in spreading positivity and expressing kind words when it comes to suicide prevention. One of the more noteworthy people among them is Paige Hunter, a 21-year-old from Sunderland, England who has been leaving notes of hope on a local bridge urging people to reconsider giving in to their suicidal thoughts.
Each note had a short phrase or sentence written on it. These included things like Step back. You’re worth it!, Don’t give up. Not now, not tomorrow, not ever, and This isn’t how it ends. Bored Panda invites you to check out some of Hunter’s suicide prevention notes left for people. And while you’re down there, why not vote and comment on the ones you liked the most?
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Paige Hunter is a 21-year-old who, a couple years back, decided to write up some positive words and phrases to be put on the Wearmouth Bridge in her hometown of Sunderland, England.
Each piece of paper was written on colored note paper using markers of various colors. The pieces of paper were also laminated so that they wouldn’t be affected by the weather.
The various notes include relatively short messages showing care and support for a potential suicide victim. These include a number of strong phrases, like You have the power to say ‘This is not how my story will end,’ The world is much better with you in it, If you end it now, you will be so deeply missed, Step back! You’re worth it, and a bunch of others.
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#5
Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
If I read this during a seemingly endless bout of depression, I would definitely kill myself—on the spot, if at all possible. Thoughts like “YOU don’t know me!” “You have no idea what my life is like and how relentless this is.” Because I’m having only a very mild depression year this year, reading it didn’t drive me to show them just how wrong they are.
#6
Eagle Girl 4 years ago
"Remember it all works out in the end. If it hasn't worked out, It's Not the end" These words have gotten me through A Lot.
Hunter calls these Notes of Hope as they aim to do exactly that—give hope to those who need it the most. It is her special way of telling people that they matter and that there are countless people who care for them, even if they don’t know them. It’s a sign of love and respect for others in need of support.
It is said that she has placed over 40 notes, each with a bit of unique text. A couple years back, it was reported that Hunter had managed to save the lives of 6 people, though her description on Facebook today says that the number has increased a bit over fourfold—it is now 28.
Hunter has received recognition for her actions. Namely, on July 16th, 2018, Northumbria Police awarded her a Commander’s Compliment for her positive action to help with the prevention of suicide. This is besides many internauts commending her for it online.
#9
Gin Marie 4 years ago
I tried to kill myself after Iraq. Several people at the VA told me, "Women aren't in combat." Like the insurgents see boobs and stop shooting. (Although, after three months in Iraq and losing forty pounds, I no longer had any.) So the VA wouldn't treat me. I had nightmares whenever I closed my eyes. I had panic attacks in vehicles constantly, because....IEDs. And because I'm a woman, people really resented me needing help instead of supplying it. I was absolutely convinced I was a burden on people, that I was doing the world a favor. Why? Because people TOLD me I was a burden.
As mentioned previously, Hunter isn’t the only one who’s been doing so. Similar laminated notes were also found on other bridges around the UK, namely in Gwent, Cwmbran, Pontypool, Glasgow, a bridge over A14, and a number of other places.
This just goes to show that people are not indifferent to the problem of suicide in the UK and that it ought to be resolved.
If you or anyone in your social circles are contemplating suicide, please do not hesitate to seek help by contacting your local suicide hotline or service easily found by means of Google or other online search engines.
It goes without saying that you matter, that there is nothing wrong with you, that the world is not an inherently bad place, and that without you, the world just wouldn’t be right.
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Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
NOT always, but there are still many days beyond that that likely will be.
#19
deanna woods 4 years ago
In situations like this, your heart beats faster because it's telling you that it wants to live. Even your heart knows it's not your time.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
They wanted to write "I know your pain" but realized that that wasn't true. No one can feel someone else's pain. But you can show empathy and so she changed it in "I know this pain".
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#23
ArhomR 4 years ago
Hey, @Steve Bowman. You are here adding to the conversation but refusing to see that there are people on BP who are concerned for you. Many have admitted to feeling like life just isn’t worth the struggle and yet they have found something that made them shift the pain. They have come back from the abyss. They are people who “know” pain and decided, again a choice, to squash the demons and move on. There are lots of places for help and encouragement. Reach out, Buddy.
#24
Purbasha Banai 4 years ago
I don't think the word "solution" is a right word here at all. It is never a solution. It's a disaster.
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#27
Hazel Fruend 4 years ago (edited)
There was a car in the middle of an interstate stopped with its hood up with no signs saying that he wouldn’t move. The person in front of us SLAMMED on their brakes and us carrying a 2,100 pound camper and a truck, could not stop in time. And from that time (less than a week) we have been having flat tires on our way home. My dad was driving and I was in passenger seat. I was lucky no air bags went off. I would've been dead or close.
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What do you think ?
Adele Maestranzi 4 years ago
This brought tears to my eyes. I was reminded of two of my brother's friends. One went to a park in Dorchester (MA) and shot himself in the head. The other was thankfully talked down off of a bridge by a Marine vet. My brother's friend has his partner leave him with their child, and he knew of no reason to live. This vet told him that his dad died when he was young and never got to see him become a Marine, "think of your child wishing you were there". He talked to Bob long enough until police came and got him down.
A sorta blue grey 4 years ago
Tears here too. Struggling with Covid, unemployed, money, love life and just the general state of the world. These were a nice treat to read and remind myself, one day at a time.
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Zoe's Mom 4 years ago (edited)
Same here; tears. Someone took a lot of time to show that at least one person cares and sometimes that's all you need. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and the people who have survived jumping the Golden Gate Bridge say that they immediately regret their decisions. PLEASE--talk to someone. Sometimes just unloading on a stranger helps.
Helen Haley 4 years ago
Their hearts are in the right place, but I have to imagine if you are in this headspace these won't do anything. All the one's saying something along the lines of 'you are loved', what if they aren't. What if that's the source of pain? What would do better is more accessible mental health care.
JN 4 years ago (edited)
Exactly! I love most of these signs but: People who are suicidal are extremely vulnerable and you have to choose your words very carefully. Not everybody is loved by someone, some people are completely alone in the world or surrounded by people incapable of love and in these cases "you are loved" or "Your friends would rather hear your problems than go to your funeral" may remind them that it is considered normal to have friends, to have somebody who loves them and that they are excluded from this "normality".
Load More Replies...
Eagle Girl 4 years ago
Wow. What a Pure Heart to take time to Care. This may seem inappropriate but stuck in my mind. When you jump from "Bridge height" to water it's like crashing into cement. So how bout a sign like " Stop. It's gonna hurt way more than your heart" Just a thought..
Astrid Nineor 4 years ago
I don't think this will stop most people who come there with the intent of killing themselves, but maybe it will help passers by that are struggling, but not quite suicidal yet, and get them to seek help sooner than they otherwise would. PS, if you don't like making phone calls, you can email the Samaritans anonymously (I think they take away you address and replace it with a random ID or something) : jo@samartians.org
Melinda Jenkins 4 years ago
I'm gonna be honest here. I suffer a lot from suicidal idealization because I have a lot of problems in my life that just won't "get better" with time. My attempts were at home because where I live there's not really any opportune jumping places. If I did, and had seen these, I would have done the opposite out of spite. I honestly hate it when people who don't know me try and convince me that things will "get better" because they can't and they haven't. Since I was raised by an abusive mom who never let me go outside or have friends, I'm also quite alone. It wouldn't be until I didn't show up for work anyone would even miss me. The sentiment here is nice but it feel very condescending in my current frame of thought.
Jean-Yves Derisbourg 4 years ago
They are cute, I saw some in London. However I find them a bit simplistic. Suicide or depression is way more complex and I am not sure a few words would be enough to change someone's mind if they are about to jump from a bridge. I am also worried some of those could have the opposite effect.
TheExtremeSmell 4 years ago
Not to be depressive but knowing people care doesn’t stop depression. People go if I had known he felt so bad I would of talked to him. When in reality that’s just showing how much you think your ear is. Depression is a root system of an old tree that through various measures is treated. But yes one is friends.
El Dee 4 years ago
A lot of well meant messages but the one that I think is best is the one from a 'survivor' It might be an idea to have messages from those who have been suicidal/attempted suicide posted at places like this. Maybe people will listen more to those who have felt as they do..
Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
Definitely. It can be hard finding people who understand what it’s like to be profoundly depressed for years on end. I had a friend who committed suicide; I wasn’t surprised but I grieved for a very long time.
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KT 4 years ago
Words cannot express the deep void in my heart that resides since my half brother took his life 10 years ago now. I still cry, I still miss him badly. If you are thinking of taking your life, please understand you are loved beyond comprehension, even if there have been fights with your loved ones, people just need time to cool down and things will get better.
Monika Soffronow 4 years ago
"If you’re thinking about suicide, please read Are You Feeling Suicidal?, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) in the U.S., or find a suicide helpline in your country at IASP or Suicide.org." https://www.helpguide.org/articles/suicide-prevention/suicide-prevention.htm
🥦Izuku🥦Midoriya🥦 1 year ago
Can someone help me? My parents stopped my therapy, and I tried reading this to change my mind but I can’t! I am between 10-14 and on the verge of suicide. It hurts. Please help me. I can’t handle it. Please. Please…
Lydia Coy 4 years ago
Pls no one end your life. If you die you leave a hole in everyone you loved's heart... im talking from experience
Steve Bowman 4 years ago
Again: What if there is no one? No family anymore, no friends, no work colleagues?
Load More Replies...
Adele Maestranzi 4 years ago
This brought tears to my eyes. I was reminded of two of my brother's friends. One went to a park in Dorchester (MA) and shot himself in the head. The other was thankfully talked down off of a bridge by a Marine vet. My brother's friend has his partner leave him with their child, and he knew of no reason to live. This vet told him that his dad died when he was young and never got to see him become a Marine, "think of your child wishing you were there". He talked to Bob long enough until police came and got him down.
A sorta blue grey 4 years ago
Tears here too. Struggling with Covid, unemployed, money, love life and just the general state of the world. These were a nice treat to read and remind myself, one day at a time.
Load More Replies... Zoe's Mom 4 years ago (edited)
Same here; tears. Someone took a lot of time to show that at least one person cares and sometimes that's all you need. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and the people who have survived jumping the Golden Gate Bridge say that they immediately regret their decisions. PLEASE--talk to someone. Sometimes just unloading on a stranger helps.
Helen Haley 4 years ago
Their hearts are in the right place, but I have to imagine if you are in this headspace these won't do anything. All the one's saying something along the lines of 'you are loved', what if they aren't. What if that's the source of pain? What would do better is more accessible mental health care.
JN 4 years ago (edited)
Exactly! I love most of these signs but: People who are suicidal are extremely vulnerable and you have to choose your words very carefully. Not everybody is loved by someone, some people are completely alone in the world or surrounded by people incapable of love and in these cases "you are loved" or "Your friends would rather hear your problems than go to your funeral" may remind them that it is considered normal to have friends, to have somebody who loves them and that they are excluded from this "normality".
Load More Replies... Eagle Girl 4 years ago
Wow. What a Pure Heart to take time to Care. This may seem inappropriate but stuck in my mind. When you jump from "Bridge height" to water it's like crashing into cement. So how bout a sign like " Stop. It's gonna hurt way more than your heart" Just a thought..
Astrid Nineor 4 years ago
I don't think this will stop most people who come there with the intent of killing themselves, but maybe it will help passers by that are struggling, but not quite suicidal yet, and get them to seek help sooner than they otherwise would. PS, if you don't like making phone calls, you can email the Samaritans anonymously (I think they take away you address and replace it with a random ID or something) : jo@samartians.org
Melinda Jenkins 4 years ago
I'm gonna be honest here. I suffer a lot from suicidal idealization because I have a lot of problems in my life that just won't "get better" with time. My attempts were at home because where I live there's not really any opportune jumping places. If I did, and had seen these, I would have done the opposite out of spite. I honestly hate it when people who don't know me try and convince me that things will "get better" because they can't and they haven't. Since I was raised by an abusive mom who never let me go outside or have friends, I'm also quite alone. It wouldn't be until I didn't show up for work anyone would even miss me. The sentiment here is nice but it feel very condescending in my current frame of thought.
Jean-Yves Derisbourg 4 years ago
They are cute, I saw some in London. However I find them a bit simplistic. Suicide or depression is way more complex and I am not sure a few words would be enough to change someone's mind if they are about to jump from a bridge. I am also worried some of those could have the opposite effect.
TheExtremeSmell 4 years ago
Not to be depressive but knowing people care doesn’t stop depression. People go if I had known he felt so bad I would of talked to him. When in reality that’s just showing how much you think your ear is. Depression is a root system of an old tree that through various measures is treated. But yes one is friends.
El Dee 4 years ago
A lot of well meant messages but the one that I think is best is the one from a 'survivor' It might be an idea to have messages from those who have been suicidal/attempted suicide posted at places like this. Maybe people will listen more to those who have felt as they do..
Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
Definitely. It can be hard finding people who understand what it’s like to be profoundly depressed for years on end. I had a friend who committed suicide; I wasn’t surprised but I grieved for a very long time.
Load More Replies... KT 4 years ago
Words cannot express the deep void in my heart that resides since my half brother took his life 10 years ago now. I still cry, I still miss him badly. If you are thinking of taking your life, please understand you are loved beyond comprehension, even if there have been fights with your loved ones, people just need time to cool down and things will get better.
Monika Soffronow 4 years ago
"If you’re thinking about suicide, please read Are You Feeling Suicidal?, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) in the U.S., or find a suicide helpline in your country at IASP or Suicide.org." https://www.helpguide.org/articles/suicide-prevention/suicide-prevention.htm
🥦Izuku🥦Midoriya🥦 1 year ago
Can someone help me? My parents stopped my therapy, and I tried reading this to change my mind but I can’t! I am between 10-14 and on the verge of suicide. It hurts. Please help me. I can’t handle it. Please. Please…
Lydia Coy 4 years ago
Pls no one end your life. If you die you leave a hole in everyone you loved's heart... im talking from experience
Steve Bowman 4 years ago
Again: What if there is no one? No family anymore, no friends, no work colleagues?
Load More Replies... 
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