Network Rail

In January 2010 a pioneering Samaritans and Network Rail partnership launched covering the rail network in England, Scotland and Wales.

With the overall aim of reducing the number of suicides on the railways by 20% over a 5 year period, new figures reveal that after a peak of 233 suicides in 2009/2010, the number of deaths for the year to March 2011 fell by 11% to 207.

Although these figures cannot be directly attributed to the partnership, they are encouraging as we continue rolling out a variety of suicide prevention and post-incident support activities nationwide with the support of Network Rail.

These include:

• The development of a Samaritans regional call-out service to people in distress at railway sites
• A bespoke railway industry staff training course
• The implementation of our public awareness campaign
• An educational programme to encourage responsible media reporting of suicides.

Samaritans and Network Rail win Charity Partnership award at Business Charity Awards 2012

Find out more

About the partnership

The PR campaign

First year achievements

Railway industry staff training

Plans for the year ahead 2011/12

View Network Rail staff member and Samaritans volunteer, Mark’s vodcast