[themodelplumber]

I used to live near the Tojimbo cliffs and have been thinking about the place (and what happens there) on and off since my first visit. I also really liked this NYT article, about a retired cop who made it his mission to stop suicide attempts at the cliffs. 222 lives had been saved as of late 2009.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/world/asia/18japan.html?_r...

[scott_s]

"Mr. Shige says his approach to stopping suicides is quite simple: when he finds a likely person, he walks up and gently begins a conversation. The person, usually a man, quickly breaks down in tears, happy to find someone to listen to his problems."

Genuine empathy can be both powerful and shocking.

[bradleysmith]

unexpected empathy is always particularly moving, especially for the hopeless. It's a STRONG pattern interrupt to a negative view of the world around you, and really makes people question themselves.

[boohoofoodoo]

Agreed, http://www.smh.com.au/national/an-angel-walking-among-us-at-...

[marquis]

Another extraordinary story about a Suicide Catcher, this time in China.

http://www.gq.com/news-politics/big-issues/201005/suicide-ca...

"Mr. Chen would charge them like a dangerous man himself, wrestling, punching, kicking, doing whatever was necessary. 'I'm very confident in my physical strength,' he said. 'Since I have no psychological training, my job is to get that person off the bridge as quickly as possible.'"

[satori99]

A similar story from Sydney ...

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/death-of-the-angel-of-the-gap-the-...