Greater Anglia is expanding its suicide prevention training among its workforce. The initiative builds on successful interventions that have already saved 20 lives this year.
The big picture: In the last three years, 141 Greater Anglia staff have completed the Samaritans' managing suicidal contacts course.
The one-day course teaches techniques for sensitively supporting distressed individuals.
Skills learned are also valuable for supporting colleagues and in personal life situations.
The company has also introduced a Lifesaver award, including a certificate and badge, for staff who complete a suicide intervention.
What's next: Greater Anglia is continuing to increase the number of staff trained, with an in-house course now delivered by learning and development facilitator Dan Ribbits.
Why it matters: Every life saved through these interventions represents a family spared from tragedy. With 20 lives already saved this year, Greater Anglia's training program demonstrates the tangible impact that targeted interventions can have.
What they're saying: 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 prevent suicides on the railway. We are doing everything we can to keep people safe while using our rail network."
If you need help: Call the Samaritans on 116 123.
