In an attempt to link a public place known to attract potential suicides with an emergency psychiatric service, the Dutchess County (New York) Dept. of Mental Hygiene & the New York State Bridge Authority installed Helpline, a 24-hour dedicated line telephone service, on the Mid-Hudson Bridge in Poughkeepsie. Activation of the line alerts a MH counsellor, who engages the caller in conversation following standard hotline protocol & obtains police intervention if the caller is judged suicidal(NBB)