Train operator wins suicide prevention award

Southeastern has trained nearly 2,000 of its employees in suicide prevention techniques

Southeastern Railway A Southeastern train arrives at the station as a worker in a high-vis jacket observes — Southeastern has trained nearly 2,000 of its employees in suicide prevention techniques

Southeastern Railway’s work to prevent self-harm on the network has been recognized with two awards.

The company, which operates services between south-east London and Kent and East Sussex, says its staff prevented 204 “lifesaving interventions” between April and October.

This follows suicide prevention training attended by 1,813 staff across the South East.

The company received two awards in the Kent Mental Wellbeing Awards, run by the charity Mind.

One was for the Pass It On campaign, which encourages people working in mental health, social services, probation, police, drug and alcohol agencies, housing departments and community safety partnerships to share information about people at risk of self-harm on the railway.

Collette Windsor, burglary and suicide prevention manager at Southeastern, said: “Any death on the railway is a tragedy and has a huge impact on the person’s loved ones, as well as our staff and passengers who witness the incidents.”

He says Southeastern gives frontline workers the skills to connect with the people they care for.

“We know from the large number of successful interventions delivered so far this year that it makes a huge difference,” she said.

The work of the railway carrier was recognized with an award

South Eastern Railway certificates and Kent Mental Wellbeing Award trophy awarded to South Eastern Railway — The work of the railway carrier was recognized with an award

Dr David Palmer, of Mind in Bexley and East Kent, said: “Now more than ever, mental health care is crucial.

“The post-pandemic challenges of the cost of living crisis, rising poverty, financial strains and global political upheaval have seriously impacted society’s mental health.”

He says the impact of mental anxiety and stress can be “extremely debilitating”.

“Available support and local networks must be made readily and clearly available whenever someone feels they need the extra help or connection they need.”

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