Samaritans to lead research on rail mental health

Great Western Railway and the Department for Transport have commissioned Samaritans to lead new research on mental health and wellbeing support.

The study, to be undertaken in partnership with not-for-profit company Mental Health at Work, will provide recommendations for mental health provision.

An online survey will ask rail staff about their experiences, understanding of available support, and their thoughts on improvements in seeking help. It will launch in June, and staff are invited to take part within the next six months, with the final report being available next year.

Samaritans Research Project Manager Suzy Ludlow said: “We really want to encourage rail staff from all areas to get involved in the survey - from the frontline to the managing directors - so everyone can have their say.

“Having worked with the rail industry for over ten years in suicide prevention, Samaritans knows the traumas that rail staff can face. We hope this study will make a huge difference to the industry.”

Since 2010, Samaritans has trained 25,000 rail and British Transport Police staff in suicide prevention, as well as providing trauma support courses and working with the charity’s 20,000 listening volunteers to provide emotional support to staff and customers.

A 2020 survey by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) found that railway employees experience 1.5 times higher rates of anxiety compared with the general population.