Suicide by jumping at Beachy Head in East Sussex – the impact of a suicide-prevention patrol scheme

Introduction: Suicide is a major public health issue and leading cause of death among younger adults in the UK. Suicide by jumping is an uncommon method. About 23 people die each year by jumping from the cliffs at Beachy Head, Sussex. The Beachy Head Chaplaincy (BHC) established a suicide-prevention patrol at Beachy Head in August 2004. To date, there have been no studies evaluating the impact of a suicide patrol as a prevention strategy. This study aimed to assess the impact of this suicide-prevention patrol. Methods: A phenomenological approach to capture the “lived experience” of nine BHC volunteers. Data collected included audio-recorded semi-structured interviews and non-participant observation. General thematic analysis was used to code data, identify themes and sub themes. Results: 998 statements were coded. Six main themes emerged from the data: (1)Why Volunteer? (2)God (3)Operational Attitudes (4)Volunteer Stories (5)Bio-psycho-social Volunteer Impact (6)Reward. Two overarching themes also emerged: (1)Altruism in Activism (2)Human Alliance. Discussion: This work shows that volunteers desire to help others, having developed prerequisite skills through life experience; religion cements mission purpose, provides unique psychological support allowing volunteers to safely participate; BHC is a professional organisation welcomed by authority agencies and the public; BHC success is rooted in their spirit of activism to see suicide end and ability to engage in authentic human connection untainted by professional obligation. Collaboration with organisations like BHC may provide cost-effective suicide patrols at jumping ‘hot spots’