CINCINNATI (WKRC) — For people struggling with their mental health, new signs on three Northern Kentucky bridges are meant to serve as a visible reminder that help is available.
When someone is in a dark place, the smallest hint of hope can mean the difference between life and death. Ten signs have been installed on bridges in Covington and Newport, directing people to resources. The bridges are, unfortunately, places where some people have decided to spend their last moments.
The idea came from Brandon Saho, founder of The Mental Game, who grew up on the West Side of Cincinnati and lived his dream as a sports reporter. Saho said his mental health struggles were not visible to others.
“No one knew behind the scenes I was struggling with my mental health,” said Saho. “I was suicidal and no one knew.”
Saho said he stepped away in 2022 to get help. He also said the signs are personal for him because of his own experiences on the Roebling Suspension Bridge.
“I struggled the most with my mental health on the Roebling Bridge, and there were so many nights that I thought about taking my own life in that spot,” said Saho “And so for me, I was back walking on that bridge two years ago and I just tweeted out a picture that said, ‘Whatever I need to do, Ohio and Kentucky government, please let me pay for the signs. Let me buy the signs, let me do something.’”
The video went viral, and Kentucky leaders began reaching out to him. He said the process took a few years, but he is proud that leaders cared enough to make it happen.
“What’s really cool is there’s going to be people that … that sign is going to save lives. But it’s also going to save so many lives that we don’t hear about,” said Saho. “There’s going to be people that post pictures or share their story, heal out loud like I do, but what I know is for every one person that does that, there’s probably 10 to 20 that didn’t post it on Facebook or Instagram, and you just know that you are making a huge impact.”
As he walked the bridge and noticed the sign, Saho said a wave of memories came back.
“I’m not going to lie — I had tears in my eyes because it was just such a cool thing to see after I had so many nights over years crossing that bridge thinking about jumping and not wanting to be here to now think someone can see that sign and feel a little bit of hope, and, hopefully, call that hotline or reach out for help,” said Saho. “Let people know that you can call this number; you can scan this QR code for resource[s], and you aren’t the only one feeling this way.”
District 6 of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet sent a statement about the addition of the signs:
“While there is not a single standard sign all states use, KYTC joined other transportation agencies across the country and developed its own uniform design for signs we could place on Kentucky bridges when requested by local governments, advocacy groups and citizens.
Team Kentucky is committed to saving lives. To help those in crisis, the Transportation Cabinet may install suicide prevention signage on state-owned bridges used by pedestrians. The signs include a message of hope and the 988-dialing code to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, encouraging those in need to seek help from a trained professional. In District 6, a total of 10 new signs were placed in Covington and Newport along the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge, Roebling Suspension Bridge and Taylor Southgate Bridge.”
Saho emphasized how important it is to reach out for help if your mental health is declining.
“You see that asking for help, it does work. Now, that’s the hardest thing you’re going to ever have to do, but after that, you’re going to see, ‘Oh my gosh, I go to therapy. I get sober. I ask for help. I spread this with my family, friends, talk about how I’m feeling. It’s going to help not just me, but the people around me,” said Saho.
You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, 24 hours a day.