The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has recently completed the installation of suicide prevention signs on five New Castle County bridges: the Tyler McConnell, Rising Sun, Augustine Cutoff, I-95 Brandywine River bridge and the I-495 Christina River bridge.

Someone who is considering taking their own life may feel like there is no one out there for them. By placing these signs along these bridges throughout New Castle County, we’re sending a message to people: There is someone there. There is someone who will listen and who can help. If we can deter one person from taking their life, then these signs have more than served their purpose,” offered Representative Valerie Longhurst, who made the request to the department for the signage.

“Our hope is that any person considering this will reconsider and reach out for help, and we are glad to share this message at these locations,” said Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan.

“Our ability to talk openly about mental illness and its link to suicide is critical,” said Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker, a board-certified family physician. “In 2017, 114 lives were lost to suicide in Delaware. As a society, we fail too often to recognize the signs of mental illness - in people of all ages - and when we do, we too often turn away instead of reaching out to help. We need to create an environment in Delaware in which encouraging people to be screened for mental illness and seeking treatment, if needed, is part of living healthy lives.”

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273- TALK (8255).