Chelsea Van Thof

Last name- Van Thof

Veterinarian and Suicide Prevention Advocate.

views are my own and not affiliated with any entity.

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

@charlesallen @CMCharlesAllen @MayorBowser @CMFrumin @MatthewFrumin @councilofdc @ChmnMendelson @DDOTDC #taftbridgebarrier #suicidepreventionbarrier #stopsuicide #savelives #taftbridge #dontjump #inhonorofpeter

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

When do we break ground and start #savinglives? The longer we wait, the more people in crisis we will lose.

#inhonorofpeter #stopsuicide #savelives #nomv #TaftBridgeBarrier #suicidepreventionbarrier

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

When do we break ground and start #savinglives? The longer we wait, the more people in crisis we will lose.

#inhonorofpeter #stopsuicide #savelives #nomv #TaftBridgeBarrier #suicidepreventionbarrier

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

We've lost at least two lives to the #TaftBridge since May. One was last week. Funding for construction of the #suicidepreventionbarrier passed just a few weeks ago. I cannot thank DC leaders, reporters, and community members enough for your efforts in making this a reality

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

@CMCharlesAllen @charlesallen @Janell105Janell @CMFrumin @MatthewFrumin @DDOTDC @councilofdc @MayorBowser

Next question -

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

You will be so missed. I know there are many like myself who are very grateful to you for helping elevate our stories and for whom you have left a lasting impact. Best of luck in your next adventure!!!

[Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle]

A brief interruption for the dreaded personal news tweet: Late next month I'll be leaving @wamu885/@DCist, where I've had the amazing honor of being a local reporter for more than a decade.

[Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle]

So much of what I learned I got up from Mark Segraves. And I still marvel at how he can ask the right question in exactly the right way to get the most critical information out of people who don't want to give it up. A true institution of D.C. reporting.

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

@DDOTDC @DDOTDCDirector Each life lost to suicide costs society 1.33 million dollars. How much are the barriers for the metro turnstiles going to be? The bridge barrier will be a drop in the bucket. It took Ben Read 6 yrs to get the Ellington barrier done and lives were lost.

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

@DDOTDC @DDOTDCDirector Lott already said there had been resources set aside for design and construction of another project. So we know it's possible. Don't kick the can down the road because the design isn't finished. There are smart people working on this, an estimate at least.

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

@DDOTDC @ddotdirector why does Lott have differing info than the Council on funding construction for the #taftbridgebarrier? FY26 is too far away. People will die. #Taftbridge needs a #temporarybarrier for #suicideprevention. Lives will be lost, there'll be blood on your hands.

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

This compares with the average cost to society of a suicide at $1.33 million. To those who argue that thwarting access to a lethal jump site is a waste of money, D.C.’s experiment resoundingly counter-argues with data, “Not true.”

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

"Amortized, the $229,000 cost of this prevention effort equates to less than $2,000 per life saved, a cost that is declining daily." #savelives #savemoney #stopsuicide #provenprevention #inhonorofPeter

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

A response from a WAPO reader, referencing the Ellington Bridge, perpendicular to the Taft, to one of @byTheresaVargas 's earlier articles on the #TaftBridgebarrier effort that bares repeating:

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

@HeckThomas1 @charlesallen @AFSP_NCAC Actually research does not support your point (that someone in crisis would just find another bridge) and also yes ddot is assessing all DC bridges.

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

@George198415 @charlesallen @AFSP_NCAC It's not just one jumper, just the first time you're hearing about it. Fighting for one does not negate the other.

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

This is what happens when we speak out against death by suicide- more people find their voice. Less people suffer in silence. Less people die. Thank you for another suicide awareness piece @byTheresaVargas
#stopsuicide #RIPJohn #spreadtheword #savelives #taftbridgebarrier

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

After 50 years, a suicide survivor and sister honors her late brother, who died by suicide from the Taft 50 years ago today: https://t.co/deuaqS0OPE

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

#inhonorofpeter #stopsuicide She Lost Her Partner to Suicide Last Year. Now, She’s Successfully Advocated for Suicide Barriers on DC’s Taft Bridge https://t.co/E4tjPyz4zu

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

Please retweet!!!! If you or someone you know has lost a loved one to the Taft Bridge, pls dm me here or email [email protected] #suicidesurvivor #taftbridgebarrier #stopsuicide #savelives #inhonorofpeter

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

I'm talking with them tomorrow, maybe I can sneak it in for all #chelseakind

[Chelsea Van Thof @CVan_Thof]

@ChelseyDC @iamchelsea_art @chelseah_writes @ChelseaClinton @chelseahandler @Janefonda Sorry to miss it tonight- hoping to make the next Chelsea gathering!