Network Rail, Samaritans, and British Transport Police’s suicide prevention programme saves more than 1,500 lives on Eastern region railways

Network Rail’s rail suicide prevention programme has helped to save more than a thousand lives on the region’s railways.

In the past five years 1,500 interventions have been made on the rail network in the Eastern region, with 447 in the past year alone.

Nationally, over 27,000 interventions have been made.

The life-saving work of the programme — delivered by Network Rail, Samaritans and British Transport Police — has been highlighted this World Mental Health Day (October 10).

The partnership has provided specialist training for rail staff and partners, raised public awareness about suicide prevention and the signs to look out for to see if someone needs help.

It has also taught them the best ways to approach vulnerable people — which can range from simply talking to them or calling for further professional assistance.

Louise McNally, Network Rail’s suicide prevention lead, said: “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.

“The rail suicide prevention programme helps us, as an entire industry, respond as effectively as we can to the many people that are presenting on the railway either in distress, in crisis, or struggling to cope. It also provides invaluable support to those members of the workforce who find themselves involved in some difficult incidents.”

Network Rail has continued to work closely with the Samaritans to train thousands of frontline railway staff with the skills to identify vulnerable individuals and confidently intervene.

Dave Brown, Samaritans senior programme manager for rail, said: “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.”

To date, more than 30,000 rail employees and British Transport Police officers have been trained in suicide prevention techniques through the Samaritans’ ‘managing suicidal contacts’ course. This training has enabled staff to recognise the signs of someone in distress and offer assistance in critical moments.

Network Rail’s Dom Mottram knows the importance of looking out for others after he experienced suicidal thoughts aged 19 and was considering taking his life when a lady approached him and asked him a question — her kindness “snapping him out of harming himself in the moment”.

He has since gone on to do the course with Samaritans and has helped others in a similar situation, both in and out of the rail environment.

Dom said: “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.”

If you need support, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 for free, from any phone.