Suicide Prevention

Photo Credit: Caltrans, District 7

If you or someone you know is experiencing a suicidal or mental health crisis, call or text 988 or chat 998lifeline.org.

Suicide Prevention

Suicide is a serious public health problem that affects millions of people every year. It can affect anyone and have lasting impacts on individuals, families, and communities.

As the regional transportation planning agency for Ventura County, Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) recognizes the need to be a part of collective action to discourage suicide on transportation infrastructure. Since early 2014, VCTC has worked to integrate suicide prevention measures into transportation infrastructure such as the installation of Crisis Line signs along highways that direct people to suicide-prevention resources and the recent formation of the Arroyo Simi Bridge Task Force.

Arroyo Simi Bridge Task Force

In 2022, VCTC and Caltrans District 7 formed the Arroyo Simi Bridge Suicide Prevention Task Force to bring structure and collaboration to prevention efforts for the Arroyo Simi Bridge in Moorpark. Since its construction in 1993, the Arroyo Simi Bridge, where State Route (SR) 23 meets SR 118 in Moorpark, has become a location of concern for local officials and residents due to repeated suicide attempts.

The task force brings together representatives from VCTC, Caltrans District 7, the County of Ventura, the cities of Moorpark and Simi Valley, the California Highway Patrol, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, and Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services to discuss strategies, share progress, and coordinate activities. Their approach focuses on two key pillars: physical solutions and community-based solutions. Each reinforces the other by creating both safer spaces and stronger networks of care.

Physical Solutions: Building Barriers and Buying Time

In July 2022, Caltrans began developing plans for a barrier fence along the Arroyo Simi Bridge. The goal of this barrier is to discourage suicide attempts and buy critical additional time to intervene and for first responders to arrive. The barrier design features a tight-weave mesh that makes the barrier more difficult to climb.

Following environmental review and preliminary design completion in October 2023, Caltrans finalized the design in August 2024. Construction of the $10 million project began in late October 2025 with completion of construction activities anticipated in early 2026.

Rendering of the Arroyo Bridge barrier fence design

Community-Based Solutions: Education, Awareness, and Support

Recognizing that infrastructure alone cannot address mental health crises, the Arroyo Simi Bridge Suicide Prevention Task Force partnered with Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services to provide suicide prevention training to both first responders and community members.

Two tailored training programs were created, one for California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers and Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) drivers, and another for the general public. These trainings covered crisis de-escalation and intervention, prevention and response training, community suicide awareness, and connecting individuals to crisis resources. In May 2024, the City of Moorpark and Didi Hirsh hosted the first virtual community training, allowing residents to learn from licensed mental health professionals, with a second training in Spanish held in June 2024. First responder training was conducted in October 2024.

Information on warning signs, risk factors, how to help, and more resources can be found here (English) and here (Spanish).

Coming Together for Prevention

Additionally, the Arroyo Simi Bridge Task Force has worked to raise awareness through outreach such as conducting a Suicide Prevention Webinar, presenting to VCTC’s board of commissioners, Simi Valley and Moorpark city councils, and participating in the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Network Summit. These local coordination efforts connect with wider regional and national initiatives that address suicide prevention on roadways.

The U.S. Department of Transportation Volpe Center, which studies suicides near infrastructure, emphasizes a multifaceted approach that combines engineering, education, and enforcement. By uniting transportation agencies, behavioral health professionals, and communities, prevention becomes possible.

24/7 Support is Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing a suicide, mental health, or substance use crisis, call or text 988 or chat 998lifeline.org.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the U.S. in English and Spanish. Through voice call, 240 additional languages are also available 24/7.

Learn more about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by visiting 998lifeline.org.

Resources

While not a complete list, the resources below offer support for Mental Health:

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Aerial View of the Bridge, Photo Credit: Caltrans, District 7