To coincide with today, Thursday, 10th October, being World Mental Health Day, Network Rail has announced that its Rail Suicide Prevention Programme has intervened in over 27,000 incidents of people needing help across Britain’s rail network.

The Rail Suicide Prevention Programme is a collaboration between Network Rail, Samaritans, and British Transport Police, and in the last year was involved in 1,937 interventions on Britain’s rail network.

Through the programme, specialist training is available for railway staff and partners to raise public awareness of suicide prevention.

The Samaritans’ ‘Managing Suicidal Contacts’ course has trained over 30,000 rail employees and British Transport Police officers in suicide prevention techniques and how to support and identify anyone on the railway who appears to be in an emotional crisis.

Training shows what to look for if someone is spotted who needs help, and the best ways to approach vulnerable people which could be by simply talking to them or calling for professional assistance.

Samaritans has published Media Guidelines for Reporting Suicide and a Rail Suicide factsheet as it has been proven that there is a link between how the media reports certain types of suicide and increases in suicide rates.

If anyone is struggling with their mental health or knows someone who needs support, Samaritans can be contacted by calling 116 123 or at www.samaritans.org

Last year, TransPennine Express wrapped one of its trains in a vinyl that promoted the men’s suicide prevention charity, Andy’s Man Club.

“It’s a great achievement to see that over 27,000 potentially life-saving interventions have been made to help support and identify vulnerable people across the rail network who may be at risk of suicide.

Louise McNally, Network Rail’s suicide prevention lead

“Our partnership with Network Rail has been running for over 14 years and the impact it has had on saving lives has been huge. By equipping rail staff with the knowledge and confidence to help vulnerable people in distress, we ensure lives are saved each year.”

Dave Brown, Samaritans senior programme manager for rail

Network Rail’s Dom Mottram experienced suicidal thoughts when he was 19, so knows the importance of looking out for others.

As he was considering taking his life, a lady approached him and asked him a question, and her kindness stopped him from harming himself.

Dom has now completed the Samaritans’ ‘Managing Suicidal Contacts’ course and has helped others in a similar situation to his own.

“I’m thankful for the ripple effect of that lady saving my life – without her stopping and checking if I was okay, I might not be here to now look out for and save others. With the support of family and friends I’ve come a long way since my 19-year-old self and applying my training with Samaritans to potentially life-saving scenarios has been incredibly rewarding. If I see someone who doesn’t seem ok, I often go over and ask if they’re alright and try and bring them to a place of safety. It’s so important that we look out for one another each and every day.”

Network Rail’s Dom Mottram