Network Rail invested in Samaritans’ training courses, focused on preventing suicide and supporting those who have been affected by it. The training is changing, and saving, lives.
The challenge:
1 in 5 people experience suicidal thoughts or feelings. Every suicide has a devastating impact. Suicide on the railways can affect those involved including railway staff, commuters and the wider community.
The solution:
The Rail programme delivers a suite of courses for the rail sector, both virtually and in person. Managing Suicidal Contacts (MSC) gives rail staff the confidence and skills to look out for vulnerable people, teaching them how to start a conversation and get them to the point of safety, and signpost to further support.
The Trauma Support Training (TST) explores the signs and impact that trauma has on people and how to support ourselves and others when experiencing trauma.
The impact:
Since 2010, over 26,000 railway staff have now been trained to identify and help vulnerable people, including Network Rail, British Transport Police and train company staff who have completed the ‘Managing Suicidal Contacts’ course. In the past year alone, rail staff have helped more than 650 people, potentially saving lives.
More than one in five in the rail industry now have the skills to identify and help vulnerable people to safety.
Mobile Security Officer Karl, age 31, from Lingwood Security Management in partnership with Network Rail, was the 25000th delegate to do Samaritans’ suicide prevention training this year. Three weeks later, Karl helped save a man’s life.
My colleague and I were patrolling one of our train stations and we noticed a man sat down in the platform shelter. He was leant over and had his head in his arms crying. We went over and asked him if he was alright, and he said ‘no I’m upset, I don’t want to be here anymore’ - so I knew we had to stay with him and try and help him. We were talking for about 20 or 30 minutes, but he was shivering. I said he could get warm inside my truck around the corner. He was hesitant at first, but he agreed to come with us. He didn’t stop crying the whole time we were with him. We called for an ambulance and just before he got in, he threw his arms around me and thanked me and my colleague. I was so happy that we saved a life that day and that’s thanks to the Samaritans course.
Mobile Security Officer and course attendee Karl
Your people and teams can benefit from Samaritans’ training too.
Get in touch with our team today.