The Man who Stood on the Bridge
Photo: Joel Turner
On the morning of Oct. 17, 2007, 24-year-old Bret Hugh Winch rode a bus to the Aurora Bridge.
Minutes later, he was standing on the bridge’s western ledge. What brought him there?
This three-part series ran in Real Change in June and July 2008. It won the 2008 Sigma Delta Chi Award for National Feature Writing (circulation of less than 100,000), from the Society of Professional Journalists.
If you’re facing thoughts of suicide or are in crisis, reach out.
Get help. Call 988. Or visit https://988lifeline.org/
Part 1: All around him, bridges
Photo: Joel Turner
Standing on the bridge, a man.
But this man:
Who is he?
If you’re facing thoughts of suicide or are in crisis, reach out. Get help. Call 988. Or visit https://988lifeline.org/
Part 2: Waiting, on the inside
Photo: Rosette Royale
After he enters prison, Bret Hugh Winch struggles with mental-health issues—but he’s buoyed by friendship.
If you’re facing thoughts of suicide or are in crisis, reach out. Get help. Call 988. Or visit https://988lifeline.org/
Part 3: Home, it’s better than prison
Photo courtesy
Lawrence McCollum
After serving time, Bret Hugh Winch moved into his own place in Seattle. But when he believed his housing was in jeopardy, Bret experienced a mental-health crisis.
If you’re facing thoughts of suicide or are in crisis, reach out. Get help. Call 988. Or visit https://988lifeline.org/