Greater Anglia is training more of its staff in Suffolk in suicide prevention
Nearly 900 members have taken part so far
Following World Suicide Prevention Day, Greater Anglia is training more of its staff in Suffolk and across the East to spot and support people in crisis and in suicide prevention to help keep people safe on the railway.
A total of 855 Greater Anglia colleagues have already completed the Samaritans’ managing suicidal contacts course, a one-day course tailored specifically to people working within the rail industry.
Greater Anglia staff have already helped to save 20 lives so far this year, through interventions where they have helped vulnerable or distressed people at stations across the network.
Land Sheriffs, who patrol trains and stations across the network, helping to keep customers safe, have also carried out two interventions.
The course
The Samaritans’ managing suicidal contacts course focuses on the benefits of a short conversation with someone who may be experiencing suicidal feelings and the techniques required to sensitively support that person and help begin their recovery.
These first aid skills are also beneficial when responding to family and friends who may visit the location following a loved one’s death and when supporting a colleague affected by trauma. In addition, they are valuable in our personal lives, listening to friends or family in need.
"We are doing everything we can to keep people safe"
Georgia Payne, Greater Anglia’s Safeguarding and Community Safety Manager, said:
“We work in partnership with the Samaritans, British Transport Police, and Network Rail to help keep people safe on the railway.
“We are doing everything we can to keep people safe while using our rail network. More staff than ever before have completed the Samaritans’ managing suicidal contacts course, which helps train rail staff to approach vulnerable or distressed people.”
In addition, on 17 September, the Baton of Hope, which is the UK’s largest-ever suicide prevention initiative, will call at Norwich railway station.
The national event will see the Baton, the world’s first physical icon of mental wellbeing, carried across the UK, and Norwich was one of the successful bidders chosen to host a one-day leg of the tour.
Anyone who needs to talk can call the Samaritans on 116 123.