COMMUTERS in Worcestershire are being asked to take part in a new suicide prevention campaign on the railways which could save many lives a year.

Samaritans, British Transport Police (BTP) and the rail industry, including Network Rail and the train operating companies, are launching Small Talk Saves Lives to give travellers the confidence to act if they notice someone who may be at risk of suicide on or around the rail network.

It asks the public to trust their instincts and look out for fellow passengers who might need help.

By highlighting that suicidal thoughts can be temporary and interrupted with something as simple as a question, the campaign aims to give the public the tools to spot a potentially vulnerable person, start a conversation with them, and help save a life.

Small Talk Saves Lives has been developed after research showed passengers have a key role to play in suicide prevention.

Further research showed the majority are willing to act, but many wanted guidance on how to help, and reassurance they wouldn’t ‘make things worse’.

The campaign draws on insights from successful interventions made by some of the 16,000 rail staff and BTP officers who’ve been trained by Samaritans in suicide prevention.

For each life lost on the railway, six are saved. The hope is that by appealing to members of the public, the number of life-saving interventions will increase further.

Sarah Wilson felt suicidal and planned to take her life on the railways, but didn’t as somebody reached out to her.

She said: “Someone showing that they cared about me helped to interrupt my suicidal thoughts and that gave them time to subside. The more that people understand that suicide is preventable, the better.”

Samaritans CEO Ruth Sutherland said; ‘We have worked carefully with the public, rail travellers and those bereaved by suicide to ensure that this campaign is delivered sensitively but with real impact.

Find out more about Small Talk Saves Lives and see a video about Sarah Wilson’s story at samaritans.org/smalltalksaveslives.