Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has teamed up with the Samaritans and the wider rail industry to show its support for the Samaritans’ ‘Small Talk Saves Lives’ campaign, which aims to encourage the public to start a conversation that could help save a life.

New research from the Samaritans shows that just half of the country’s adults would feel confident enough to approach someone they were concerned about in public. In an effort to increase this figure, Govia Thameslink Railway is hosting awareness events at selected stations across its network.

At the awareness events, volunteers from Samaritans will be joined by representatives from Network Rail, the British Transport Police, and Govia Thameslink Railway will be available to talk to passengers, and hopefully bust any myths about approaching vulnerable people, and help ease concerns that the general public may have about this subject.

It could be just a little small talk and asking a simple question such as “Hi, where can I get a coffee?” is all it may take to interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts and possibly help set them on their journey to recovery.

Awareness events have already taken place at Angmering, East Croydon, Lewes, and Luton, with further events planned until Friday, 17 March at the following locations:

Southern

• Three Bridges – Tuesday, 7 March (9am-4pm)
• Brighton – Thursday, 9 March (7am-11am, then 4pm-8pm)

Thameslink

• Bedford – Tuesday, 28 February (4pm-7pm) and Saturday, 4 March (11am-2pm)
• Flitwick – Wednesday, 8 March (7am-9am)

Great Northern

• St Neots – Wednesday, 1 March
• Welwyn North – Thursday, 2 March (8am-10.30am)
• Stevenage – Tuesday, 7 March (7.30am-11am)
• Sandy – Friday, 10 March (7am-9am)
• Finsbury Park – Friday, 17 March (8am-10am, then 10am-12pm)

Suicide prevention training is offered to all Govia Thameslink Railway employees in partnership with Samaritans, and also has its own e-learning modules about caring for the vulnerable. The company also provides trauma support training, counselling, and access to well-being champions and Railway Chaplains.

Further details about the Samaritans campaign can be found at Samaritans.org/smalltalksaveslives, or to join in with the conversation on social media go to #SmallTalkSavesLives.

Laura Campbell, Suicide Prevention Manager at Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “It’s great to be teaming up with our industry partners on the Small Talk Saves Lives initiative.

“The mental well-being of both staff and passengers is a year-round priority for GTR and this campaign gives us another opportunity to remind people how to look out for one another, whilst equipping people with techniques to approach a potentially vulnerable person using the railway network.”

Julie Bentley, Samaritans CEO, said: “It’s normal to feel anxious about starting a conversation with someone you don’t know in person, but at Samaritans we know first-hand how life-changing that conversation could be.

“Suicidal thoughts are often temporary and there’s no evidence to suggest that you will make the situation worse – it’s about trusting your instincts, starting a conversation, and showing you care.

“Let’s continue to look out for one another – it could save a life.”