[Article] NI - Rail campaign aims to prevent suicides

[Colm Moore]

http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0216/suicide.html

Rail campaign aims to prevent suicides
Updated: 12:57, Thursday, 16 February 2012

A suicide prevention campaign has been launched by NI train operator Translink and the Samaritans.

The Samaritans and Northern Ireland train operator Translink have launched a campaign to prevent suicides on the rail network.

In the past three years there have been five suicides on the Translink network and 20 other people have attempted to take their own lives.

The campaign is being supported by local sporting heroes, including boxer Cathal McMonagle, to re-enforce the message that support is available to anyone in need.

The new partnership also provides support for railway employees who find themselves in sensitive circumstances when dealing with people in distress.

The scheme is modelled on a project run by Network Rail in Britain, which led to an 11% drop in the number of suicides on railways.

The rate of suicide among men in Northern Ireland is the highest in the UK.