Rail operator Southeastern‘s commitment to preventing people from harming themselves on the railway has been applauded at the 2024 Kent Mental Wellbeing Awards.
Southeastern received the “Champion Award” for its proactive approach to suicide prevention.
The rail operator’s staff have made over 200 interventions since April which could have prevented people from taking their own lives on the railway.
Working with mental health charity Samaritans, Southeastern staff have had the opportunity to take specialist training so that they can identify someone who is potentially suicidal and then feel confident to approach and support them.
1,183 Southeastern employees have participated in the Samaritans’ ‘Managing Suicidal Contacts’ course. That is 40 per cent of those who work for the operator.
This enabled the 204 life-saving interventions to be made by Southeastern staff in just under months between the 1st of April and the 28th of October this year.
“The training we provide gives our frontline colleagues the skills to approach people they’re concerned about – and from the large number of successful interventions so far this year, we know it’s making a huge difference.”
Collette Windsor, Southeastern’s Trespass & Suicide Reduction Manager
The Kent Mental Wellbeing Awards are organised by the Bexley and East Kent branch of MIND.
This year’s award ceremony was held last Friday, 25th October, at the Ashford International Hotel
At the ceremony, Southeastern’s “Pass It On” campaign won recognition as the Kent Suicide Prevention Project.
“Pass It On” aims to increase the sharing of information about people who are at risk of suicide or self-harming on the railways.
It works with social services, housing departments, the police and drug and alcohol agencies, as well as mental health organisations, the probation service and community safety partnerships, allowing Southeastern to make informed, preventative interventions when people are at risk.
The rail operator uses this network to help develop safety plans and is able to ensure that people at risk can be directed to the appropriate support for them.
“Every suicide is a tragedy and has a huge impact on the loved ones of the person involved, as well as our staff and passengers who witness incidents.
“We’re incredibly proud to have been recognised for our work to reduce suicides on the railway and we will continue to work with our partners and charities to support people at risk of harm.”
Collette Windsor, Southeastern’s Trespass & Suicide Reduction Manager
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