WARNING: This story contains details about suicide and self-harm
Mental health crises on Mission Bridge have called supports and infrastructure into question.
Mission RCMP reported in June that a youth was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after jumping from Mission Bridge. On Thursday (July 3), Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper formally called for suicide prevention measures to be implemented by the province.
Over the past four years, 29 lives were lost to suicides in Mission, according to data from BC Coroners Service. The 29 deaths included six in 2021, eight in 2022, 10 in 2023, and five in 2024. BC Coroners Service said numbers are preliminary and subject to change as investigations are completed.
In 2023, Mission council asked the Ministry of Transportation and local MLAs to work to identify an anti-suicide barrier for the bridge. Gasper said the province has ignored community warnings and failied to act.
“The bridge remains completely unprotected—despite a formal request for safety barriers made by Mission city council more than a year ago,” Gasper said.
According to a news release, the Abbotsford-Mission MLA requested an urgent meeting with the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTT) and Minister of Health.
In a statement to the Mission Record prior to Gasper’s comments, MOTT said it has explored the feasibility of adding safety infrastructure to the Mission Bridge.
“The Ministry of Transportation and Transit takes suicide deterrence seriously and works closely with local law enforcement, the Provincial Health Services Authority and key stakeholders to ensure comprehensive efforts are in place … However, it’s been determined that deterrents such as fencing or netting are not suitable due to the bridge’s structure and size,” MOTT said.
“Despite these limitations, the ministry remains committed to exploring alternative suicide deterrence measures at the Mission Bridge and will continue to collaborate with partners to identify solutions that align with provincial priorities,”
The Conservative Party of BC news release said Mission doesn’t have the mental health supports required to meet the needs of people in crisis, and noted a need for netting like other bridges across North America.
Gasper said the province needs to fix the issue before another life is lost.
“We can’t bring back the lives we’ve lost, but we can protect those still at risk of stepping onto Mission’s suicide bridge in crisis,” said Gasper.
The Fraser Health Crisis Line can be reached at 604-951-8855 or 1-877-820-7444.
