First Bus hotline sees rise in suicide calls from passengers
The number of bus passengers calling a suicide prevention charity has "increased significantly" since partnering with First Bus. Suicide Prevention UK (SPUK), which is based in Bristol, says its new project launched in January has seen an increasing number of callers mentioning buses when phoning for help.
The news comes on World Suicide Prevention Day (Tuesday, September 10) as First Bus also reveals that hundreds of new bus drivers have received suicide prevention guidance as part of the new partnership. The link-up has been nominated for the Best Alliance/Collaboration of the Year category at the National Transport Awards.
SPUK launched the partnership with First West of England after it revealed that around three in 50 of those found at risk of suicide said they had taken public transport to the location where they planned to take their life, though this figure could be much higher. Figures have increased over recent years, showing more people are using public transport to reach these spots.
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Since the partnership launched, the charity has received dozens of calls from people in need of help from across the West of England region. As part of the new programme, an advice booklet was created for bus drivers to provide insight into how they can spot signs of someone who may be contemplating suicide, and identify high-risk suicide locations on bus routes such as bridges, water and isolated areas.
In the eight months that the partnership has been running for, over 400 bus drivers have received guidance sessions. The onboard poster campaign, featuring real-life quotes from those who have contemplated suicide, has reached an audience of around 1.5 million passengers per week.
Marianne Ramnath, from Suicide Prevention UK, said: “When the partnership was launched we received some really heartfelt messages through our social media channels. Many were from loved ones who had lost friends and relatives to suicide who had used the bus to get to, tragically, their final destination.
“Since the partnership launched in January there has been so much more mention of buses from people contacting us. It’s sad in some respect that there are so many individuals in crisis who use the buses, but I feel the significant increase in the link between suicide and buses has been down to our incredible partnership, where passengers can visibly see our charity’s details and reach out for support.
“Alongside raising awareness among drivers of potentially suicidal passengers, the aim of the partnership was to provide help and support to bus users, and its brilliant that more of them feel it’s OK to reach out.”
Neely Good, First West of England’s Training and Recruitment Officer, who has been leading the suicide prevention guidance, said: “The new guidance has been really well received, and, at times, has sparked some really interesting debate about how it can be used in the real world.
“Our drivers come into contact with thousands of customers every day, from all walks of life, and among them will be people who are contending with their own worries and troubles, so it’s really important that we arm drivers with information that allows them to signpost help if they spot any of the signs.
“As a bus operator we’re at the heart of society, so it’s really important that we can play our part in helping those around us in need.”