The Merwede Bridge will have suicide prevention signs. These should prevent suicide attempts on the river crossing between Brabant and South Holland. The proposal by CDA Altena councilor Jade Buchholtz was unanimously adopted this week. “This is a powerful and supportive signal to people struggling with dark thoughts.”
“You have to be desperate to dare to jump off this,” CDA Altena councilor Jade Buchholtz told Omroep Brabant in September, as she peered into the water from the Merwede Bridge. Between 2015 and 2025, twelve suicide attempts were made at the Merwede Bridge, Rijkswaterstaat reports.
That is why Buchholtz advocated placing prevention signs on and near the Merwede Bridge, between Sleeuwijk and Gorinchem. These signs refer to 113 Suicide Prevention, which offers a listening ear to people who are thinking about suicide. Her plan now has broad support in the city council.
Are you thinking about suicide or are you worried about someone? Talking about it helps and can be done anonymously via the chat 113 Suicide prevention or by telephone on 113 or 0800-0113 (free, available 24 hours a day).
‘Let us hesitate one more time’
Since this year, municipalities have been obliged to include suicide prevention in their health policy. Buchholtz’s proposal to place 113 signs on the Merwede Bridge has already been discussed several times in the municipality of Altena. “I think it could be a possible prevention measure to make people with suicidal thoughts hesitate one more time.”
Rail manager ProRail has already proven this. It previously installed 113 signs and smart cameras at high-risk railway locations. Last year, the number of suicide attempts at the locations addressed decreased by 45 percent.
In the neighboring municipality of Gorinchem, there have been calls for smart cameras on both sides of the Merwede Bridge for some time. The camera images can be monitored live or with the help of AI, so that action can be taken in time in the event of a suicide attempt or disappearance.
‘Talking helps’
CDA councilor Buchholtz is pleased that her proposal is unanimously supported in the municipality of Altena. “This is a strong and supportive message to people who are struggling with these dark, suicidal thoughts,” she says. “That we see, hear and support them and really take them seriously. We must break this taboo, provide relief and refer them to help.”
She hopes the prevention signs are an effective way to start the conversation about suicidal thoughts. “Because talking helps. It is important that people with suicidal thoughts know where to seek help.”
‘No time to lose’
113 Suicide Prevention therefore proposed to make a working visit to the Merwede Bridge together with Rijkswaterstaat, the municipality of Altena and the neighboring municipality of Gorinchem, to form a joint picture of the location and determine which measures can be implemented.
Buchholtz does not want to wait for that. “We should simply proceed with the permanent installation of these important aid referral signs,” she believes. On average, one entire school class dies from suicide every month. “We have no more time to lose.”
The mayor and aldermen must come up with an implementation plan by April 1 at the latest. Councilor Shah Sheikkariem has promised to give it the highest priority. “We will take immediate action.”
