Samaritans and NR extend successful collaboration

Samaritans and Network Rail have announced a new five-year partnership to support the rail industry to reduce suicides.

It builds on a successful ten-year partnership that has led to 20,000 rail staff being trained in suicide intervention techniques and to the launch of public-facing campaigns including Small Talk Saves Lives.

This campaign encourages rail users to trust their instincts and to use small talk if they see someone who might be in emotional distress on the network.

It has won 27 awards since its launch in November 2017 and contributed to 1,711 potentially life-saving interventions being made by members of the public, British Transport Police officers and rail staff in 2019.

Network Rail Chief Executive Andrew Haines said: “We’re really proud of the work we’ve done with Samaritans and are looking forward to the next five-year programme. It’s a significant period of time that will allow us to collaborate on new ideas, innovations and projects to continue saving lives.”

Samaritans CEO Ruth Sutherland added: “Suicide is preventable, so partnerships like this allow us to continue the great work we do as Samaritans.

“As well as advice and guidance to the industry, the new programme will allow our incredible team of trainers to continue our life-saving training, bringing it to even more of the rail industry, while also offering post-incident support to staff and passengers at rail stations, and raising awareness of Samaritans services.”

Samaritans and NR have already continued with successful campaign activity this year, following the launch of the latest phase of Real People Real Stories on August 11 ( RAIL 912).

■ For more information on suicide prevention in the rail industry and Samaritans’ partnership with Network Rail, see RAIL’s 24-page mental health supplement in RAIL 908.