We know fences reduce numbers of suicides. That tells us nothing about what effect they have on numbers of people living fulfilling lives.

Heightened suicide risk is often short term and situation specific.

I didn't say this (because I thought it was obvious) but installing fences is not meant to make people happier. It's meant to reduce access to means and methods. This is part, but only part, of preventing suicide.

It's a very important part, and it's the bit that we have best evidence for.

In the short term it's the bit that has most impact.

> I didn't say this (because I thought it was obvious) but installing fences is not meant to make people happier.

That's not what the post you replied to was saying. The worry is that being "fenced in" would actively make people less happy.

I'd actually be pretty shocked if fences did have an impact on suicide rate, only on that type of suicide in that immediate area.

> Being polite:

I'm sure you're already aware of this, but condescendingly stating that you're being polite is the opposite of being polite.

> we know fences work.

No, you don't know that.

You may know they solve the visible problem (suicide), but you don't know if they do anything to alleviate the conditions that lead to suicide.

Is there anyone who believes fences make people happier or less depressed?

Have you ever read the studies of people prevented from jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge?

Heightened suicide risk is often both _short term_ and _situation specific_. Access to support at this time can save lives. People cannot access support if they're dead, so alongside providing immediate support you also need to reduce access to means and methods.

I've never claimed that the only thing we need to do is install fences.