A man was rescued after jumping off of Phú Mỹ Bridge in HCM City in April this year. — Photo vietnamnet.vn

HCM CITY — Thirty one people killed themselves by jumping off bridges in HCM City in the first half of the year, with only one case successfully prevented with an intervention, according to a recent report by the HCM City Police.

Colonel Lê Mạnh Hà, deputy head of the city police’s general staff division, said that most of the suicide cases are due to people being under pressure with family or relationship matters, academic or business stress, or mental disorders.

To prevent similar incidents, authorities have installed barriers around bridge railings, in addition to putting more focus on mental health counselling.

Volunteer teams along the river have also been organised to promptly intervene and rescue those intending to end their life by jumping off the bridges.

Colonel Hà also requested that people pay more attention and support each other, to engender a spirit of solidarity to prevent possible suicides. — VNS