Jon Bon Jovi, the quintessential American singer, songwriter, guitarist and actor, recently helped save a woman preparing to jump off a bridge in Nashville, Tennessee.
On Tuesday (also World Suicide Prevention Day), the 62-year-old singer was filming a music video on John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge for “The People’s House,” a song from his band’s new album Forever.
During the filming, Jon Bon Jovi, along with a woman working on set, noticed a woman on the other side of the railing of the bridge, above the Cumberland River.
In a video posted by the Metro Nashville Police Department, the rock star and set assistant are seen slowly approaching the woman in crisis, and beginning to talk with her. Ultimately, they help her back over the railing before sharing a hug.
“A shout out to @jonbonjovi & his team for helping a woman on the Seigenthaler Ped Bridge Tue night,” the Metro Nashville Police Department said in a post on Wednesday. “Bon Jovi helped persuade her to come off the ledge over the Cumberland River to safety.”
“It takes all of us to help keep each other safe,” said Metro Police Chief John Drake.
Jon Bon Jovi is the lead singer for the American rock band by the same name. The group’s hit song Livin’ on a Prayer was released in 1986. It has sold over 13 million copies worldwide and was certified Diamond on July 23, 2024.
The singer was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009; he ranked number 50 on the list of Billboard magazine’s “Power 100” in 2012.
The musician’s heroic decision to help save the woman in crisis is laudable and courageous.
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. Nearly 45,000 people per year die from suicide. In 2022 alone, there were an estimated 1.6 million suicide attempts.
In 2022, men died by suicide 3.85 times more than women, and white males accounted for 68% of suicide deaths. Rates for suicide were highest for adults ages 85+ years, and next highest for those 75 to 84 years.
According to the Crisis Text Line, “Sometimes, thoughts of suicide are the result of underlying mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. And like any illness, mental illnesses have symptoms – warning signs that someone is feeling like ending their life. Make no mistake, though, not everyone who has a mental illness is suicidal. And, not everyone who contemplates suicide has a mental illness.”
Someone with suicidal thoughts may talk about:
Ending their life
Feeling hopeless
Having no reason to live
Being a burden to others
Feeling trapped
Unbearable pain (physical or emotional)
A person actively contemplating suicide may begin:
Drinking more alcohol and using drugs
Looking for ways to end their lives, including searching online for possible methods
Withdrawing from activities
Isolating themselves from family, friends, and loved ones
Sleeping too much or too little
Saying goodbye to others
Giving away valued possessions
Becoming aggressive
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC reported increased levels of suicidal ideation in younger adults. The suicide rate among teen girls recently reached a forty-year high.
On average, more than three thousand teens attempt suicide every day. And 90% of people who die by suicide have an underlying diagnosable mental health issue.
As Christians, we know that every person is made in God’s image and is therefore infinitely valuable. Each person is known and deeply loved by God.
Because of Christ’s death on the cross for each person, everyone – no matter their past, present circumstances, situation or problem – can be redeemed, restored, forgiven and saved.
Indeed, Christ came that we may have life, and life abundantly.
Jesus taught this in John 10,
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:10-11, ESV).
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. To see how you can help prevent suicide, check out the free resources available below.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
Focus on the Family’s Alive to Thrive program is a clinically sound, biblical informed, free online training resource, which equips parents and other adults who interact with children and teens to prevent and respond effectively to youth suicide. You can learn more about our Alive to Thrive program.
Additionally, if you’re struggling and need to speak with someone, Focus on the Family offers a free, one-time counseling consultation with a licensed or pastoral counselor. To request a counseling consultation, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) or fill out our Counseling Consultation Request Form.
Related articles and resources:
Counseling Consultation & Referrals
Coping With Suicide in Families
New Suicide Prevention Hotline ‘988’ Goes Live on July 16
Photo from Getty Images.
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