PRESS RELEASE: Council Member Shané Darby to Unveil Washington Street Bridge Suicide Prevention Sign
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Council Member Shané Darby to Unveil Washington Street Bridge Suicide Prevention Sign
Council Member Shané Darby and Mayor John Carney will unveil a suicide prevention sign on the Washington Street Bridge at 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Wilmington, DE – Shané Darby, 2nd District Council Member of Wilmington City Council, in collaboration with local government, healthcare providers, educators, and community advocates, will host a powerful and heartfelt unveiling ceremony for newly installed Suicide Prevention Signage on the Washington Street Bridge on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM. The bridge is located at the intersection of Washington Street and North Park Drive, adjacent to Brandywine Park in Wilmington, Delaware.
This initiative is a direct response to the mental health crisis impacting our communities and serves as a beacon of hope and support for individuals in distress. The signage will prominently feature the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, ensuring that help is just a phone call away for those who need it most.
This event comes at a time when the need for visible, accessible mental health resources is more urgent than ever.
In 2022 alone, Delaware reported 130 suicide deaths, with an age-adjusted suicide rate of 11.4 per 100,000 that led to a 25.3% increase over the past two decades. Though the state’s rate remains below the national average of 14.2 per 100,000, the trajectory is deeply troubling.
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, and the second leading cause among youth aged 10 to 14 and young adults aged 20 to 34. Nationally, 49,476 lives were lost to suicide in 2022, the highest number ever recorded in a single year.
Behind each of these numbers is a story of struggle, silence, and often, missed opportunities for intervention. The Washington Street Bridge has long been a quiet witness to these tragedies. While comprehensive statistics on bridge-related suicides in Delaware remain scarce, the sobering history is undeniable. Men continue to die by suicide nearly four times more often than women, and disparities across racial and age groups persist. In Delaware, White individuals experience suicide at a rate of 15.4 per 100,000, more than double that of Black (7.3) and Hispanic (5.1) individuals. The elderly are also at high risk, particularly those aged 80 to 84, with rates climbing to 19.3 per 100,000.
Council Member Shané Darby, whose advocacy has centered the community’s most pressing needs, spoke with both compassion and urgency: “This sign is more than metal and words. It is a message to those in pain that they are seen, they are loved, and there is help,” said Council Member Shané Darby. “Our community must continue to push for visible, accessible, and compassionate support for those battling mental health struggles.”
The ceremony will feature a lineup of deeply committed guest speakers who will offer insights and messages of compassion, unity, and action:
Council Member Shanè Darby, 2nd District – offering reflections on local initiatives and community-driven mental health advocacy.
Mayor John Carney, City of Wilmington – speaking on the importance of collective responsibility in preventing suicide and promoting wellness.
Jennifer Antonik, DJ’s Alliance – sharing lived experience and highlighting critical community-based support programs.
Dr. Marshala Lee-McCall, ChristianaCare – providing a clinical and compassionate perspective on mental health care access.
Principal Deborah Ashton, Shortlidge Academy – addressing the growing mental health needs among our youth and school-based interventions.
The Washington Street Bridge has long been a site of concern due to multiple incidents involving suicide or attempts. The installation of this signage represents a proactive, public health-driven response to offer immediate lifelines and hope. It also symbolizes the growing resolve among local leaders to address mental health challenges head-on, without shame or stigma.
This unveiling is not only ceremonial but also educational. It’s a moment for our community to stand together, learn about suicide prevention, and recommit to supporting one another. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline signage stands as both a deterrent and an invitation, urging those in despair to pause, call, and reach for help.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Suicide Prevention Signage Unveiling Ceremony
When: Thursday, May 8, 2025 | 10:00 AM
Where: Washington Street Bridge (Intersection of Baynard Blvd & Washington St, Over Brandywine Creek), Wilmington, DE
This event is open to the public. All are encouraged to attend and show solidarity with those affected by suicide and mental health challenges. Together, we can send a clear message: you are not alone.
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MEDIA INQUIRIES:Yesenia TaverasDirector of Communications, Wilmington City CouncilOffice: (302)576-2585Email: ytaveras@wilmingtonde.govCity Council Website: www.wilmingtoncitycouncil.com