Samaritans and Network Rail join forces to reduce suicide on the railways
Wednesday 6 January 2010
Samaritans and Network Rail today announce a new
five-year partnership to reduce the number of suicides on the
railways. The project will be delivered through training for rail
staff in dealing with potential suicides and the aftermath of a
suicide, partnering with mental health, social and other services
in the local community, national communications campaigns, and
ensuring responsible reporting of suicides in the media.
In 2008 there were more than 6,000
suicides across the UK. Overall rates of suicides have been
declining steadily for the last 10 years, but the number of
suicides on railways has remained relatively static at
approximately 200 deaths per year. Each year suicides can cost
Network Rail around £15 million, solely in compensation payments to
train operators.
With the aim of reducing the number of
suicides on the railways by 20% over five years, and an investment
of £5 million, the partnership delivered jointly by Samaritans and
Network Rail will feature an integrated programme of activity
including:
-
Samaritans posters with helpline
contact details at key stations around the country;
-
bespoke training for Network Rail and
Train Operating Company staff in how to identify potentially
suicidal people and intervene in a potential suicide, and on
dealing with the impact of suicide on railways staff;
-
developing a suicide response service
with Samaritans branches to ensure support is available in the
aftermath of a suicide;
-
national communications campaigns
increasing awareness of Samaritans’ support services for those who
feel suicidal, targeting high risk groups;
-
working with the media to ensure
responsible reporting of suicides, reducing the likelihood of
copycat suicides.
Starting in January 2010, the rollout
of the programme of work will be phased, initially focusing on the
priority locations identified by Network Rail as areas most
affected by suicides. By the end of 2010 the project will see a
full rollout cross the rest of the country.
Samaritans’ Chief Executive
Catherine Johnstone said: “This innovative new partnership
comes at a vital time, as we are likely to see an increase in
suicides as a result of the recession over the coming years.
Although we have been working with rail companies for many years,
this will be the first time the industry has taken action on this
scale to reduce suicides on the railways. We hope this partnership
will produce a model which can be replicated in other high risk
locations, helping Samaritans to achieve our vision that fewer
people die by suicide.”
Iain Coucher, Network Rail
Chief Executive, said: “Every year there are too many
suicides on the railway. Every one of these is a tragedy. As a
responsible company Network Rail will do what it can to reduce this
tragic toll. That is why we have entered into this important
partnership with Samaritans. Their expertise and insight will help
us together train our people in managing this sensitive and vital
issue.”
For
further information about the partnership and the work of
Samaritans please contact Sal Lalji, PR Manager, on 020 8394 8342
or email s.lalji@samaritans.org
-Ends -
Notes to Editors
Samaritans
Samaritans' vision is for a society
where fewer people die by suicide because people are able to share
feelings of emotional distress openly without fear of being judged.
Samaritans believes that offering people the opportunity to be
listened to in confidence, and accepted without prejudice, can
alleviate despair and suicidal feelings.
Samaritans is a registered charity,
founded in 1953, which offers 24-hour confidential emotional
support to anyone in emotional distress. The service is offered by
16,534 trained volunteers and is entirely dependent on voluntary
support. Across the UK, you can call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90
(1850 60 90 90 in the Republic of Ireland) email jo@samaritans.org, write to
Samaritans at Chris, PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA, or if you are
deaf or hard of hearing use the single national minicom number
08457 90 91 92. Log on to www.samaritans.org for more information.
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vary.
About Network
Rail
Network Rail is the 'not for dividend'
owner and operator of Britain's railway infrastructure, which
includes the tracks, signals, tunnels, bridges, viaducts, level
crossings and stations - the largest of which we also manage. We
aim to provide a safe, reliable and efficient rail infrastructure
for freight and passenger trains to use. Our website: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/