Experts, pointing to the measures and security precautions to be taken in areas with high voids such as shopping malls, note that the inclusion of suicides in the same places in newspaper reports provides insights. Emphasizing that precautions should be taken for places like atrium-type shopping malls that are easily accessible, have very high voids, and railings that can be easily overcome, OHS Specialist Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan suggested that “nets should be installed across the void at every floor level” in atrium-type shopping malls with open spaces.
Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan, Head of the Occupational Health and Safety Department at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences, explained the precautions that should be taken due to the recent increase in suicide cases in shopping malls.
Suicide cases in shopping malls are also increasing worldwide
Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan stated that suicide cases in shopping malls are alarmingly increasing worldwide, adding, “In all cases, the shopping mall area where the victim jumped was an atrium that was easy to scale, had low railings, was multi-storied, sometimes as high as 6 floors.”
Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan also stated that the answers to the questions ‘Were the suicides planned, or did they happen as a result of a naturally occurring event at an unplanned moment?’ and ‘Was the person in a depressive state before, or not?’ are very important, and added:
“Planned suicide requires a definitive outcome. The means could be a weapon, a poison, or a medical drug, which may be difficult to obtain and require money. Jumping into water and the sea from rivers and straits has significantly decreased with the measures taken. Either the railings to be overcome were raised or cameras were installed. Additional prohibitions like ‘You cannot stop on the bridge’ were put in place, and barriers were installed to prevent passage. Measures prohibiting entry to construction sites were also put in place to prevent suicides from high-rise constructions.”
Newspaper reports provide insights!
Although suicides in shopping malls may not seem very pre-planned, we cannot say that the reporting of suicides in the same locations in newspaper articles over the years has not provided insights regarding the location. However, precautions need to be taken for places like atrium-type shopping malls that are easily accessible, have very high voids, and railings that can be easily overcome.”
What measures should be taken in shopping malls?
OHS Specialist Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan, suggesting that “nets should be installed across the void at every floor level” in atrium-type shopping malls with open spaces, added, “Increasing the height of floor edge railings, which are usually made of glass to not disrupt the view, to prevent them from being overcome, also appears to be a feasible measure from an OHS perspective.”
OHS Specialist Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan, pointing out the necessity of taking additional measures until nets and railings are raised, said, “Looking at the measures taken worldwide; more security guards, stricter restrictions for young visitors since suicides in shopping malls are more common among young people, and areas like benches, sofas, water fountains, and other spaces where people could gather and do things other than shopping have been removed.”
Shopping mall personnel should be informed about shopping mall suicides…
OHS Specialist Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan concluded his remarks by saying, “As OHS, in addition to nets, railings, and these measures, we propose adding the item of predicting and monitoring a person coming for suicide, and being able to intervene urgently. Attention should be paid to individuals who come alone (though they can come with family, it’s less likely), whose appearance and movements raise suspicion, who have difficulty showing identification, and who do not carry items like bags or wallets. Shopping mall security personnel should be informed about shopping mall suicides and awareness should be raised. Individuals reported by them should also be monitored with cameras inside. Proximity to railings and looking down may require immediate action.”