Network Rail and the wider rail industry is working with Samaritans in order to raise awareness of the difficulties this time of year brings for many.

Winter can be a difficult time for many people with 2022 seeing many face tighter festive budgets. The Samaritan’s new winter campaign aims to raise awareness that both rail staff and passengers do not need to struggle alone.

The #BreaktheSilence campaign aims to get people to open up about their difficulties regarding mental health and suicidal thoughts. In the UK, somebody dies by suicide every 90 minutes, however, talking can help to save lives.

With the rail industry’s ongoing backing, the charity will be able to ensure that staff and passengers are aware that Samaritans on available to provide emotional support right through the festive period. The charity has 13,000 listening volunteers across its branches in the UK and Ireland. The volunteers answer calls to support people who are feeling overwhelmed during the winter. December 2021 saw Samaritans volunteers respond to 244,254 calls across the UK and Ireland during the festive period.

The rail industry’s suicide prevention programme and Network Rail‘s partnership with Samaritans encourage rail operating companies to support awareness of the campaign and the charity’s essential helpline by putting up posters across the UK network for members of the public to see as well as internally for staff members.

Shane is a Mobile Operation Manager for Network Rail and has had first-hand experience of how talking can save lives. Shane was recently given a Samaritans Lifesaver Award as part of the Rail Staff Awards 2022 due to his incredible action in helping a suicidal man on the railway in 2021 by simply talking and opening up about his own struggles.

Shane said: “Physically he was fine, but I could tell mentally he was in a really dark place. We got talking and he told me he’d been through a bad relationship breakdown. I wanted to build trust with him and so I opened up about my own experience with my mental health, which he was able to relate to and see that we had some common ground. We’d been speaking for about 45 minutes and he turned to me and said ‘I’m sorry for what you’ve been through, I have a 13-year-old son and the thought of not seeing him again has just dawned on me.’ He came down and we hugged it out.”

Shane also spoke about the importance of caring for our own mental health: “My own mental health has been a lot better now that I’ve found the tools to cope. Whether it’s talking therapy, medication or the gym – you’ve got to find what suits you. It’s so important to open up about things that are difficult, especially as men as well, now more than ever, we need to say if we’re not okay and know there is help out there.”

Shane is also supporting the Samaritans campaign this Christmas and is encouraging fellow rail staff to be there for people when they are ready to break their silence. Shane also added:  “We always make sure we’ve got Samaritan’s cards on us and in our van so we can signpost anyone we see who might need help.”

Olivia Cayley, Head of Rail at Samaritans, said: “Whilst many look forward to the festive period, at Samaritans we know that many people find it a particularly challenging time – with the added societal pressure to put on a brave face. But that’s why we’re encouraging people to break their silence and talk about their feelings, especially if they are feeling mentally low or suicidal. Our volunteers are here 24/7 and available to listen for free on 116 123. A huge thank you as always to the rail industry in supporting us to get this important message out there. Talking really can save lives.”

Louise McNally, Suicide and Trespass Prevention Lead, Network Rail said: “Whatever challenges you’re facing this Christmas, it’s so important that we continue to look out for each other and ourselves. Samaritans and its team of volunteers are here to listen and provide round-the-clock support.”  

A small donation of just £5 can support Samaritans volunteers to take calls of help for those who are struggling this winter. To make a donation please visit Samaritans.org/silence.

Samaritans are available day and night, 365 days of the year, phone calls to them are free and can be made on 116 123, or contact by email at [email protected], or visit www.samaritans.org for more details.