The Rail Industry works closely with many Local Authorities and their Suicide Prevention Groups, and Public Health leads. NW&C Region recently were involved in two Community Response Plan meetings with a Local Authority in the North West following the deaths of two teenagers.

The Community Response Plan is a process triggered to respond to incidents and reduce the risk of potential clusters developing. The Community Response Plan meeting looked at

1. Why do we need a community response plan?

2. An update on the current situation and actions already taken

3. Identifying who is vulnerable?

4. Appropriate support/ intervention required.

A good plan can bring together a Community Response Team, identify local risks, identify useful resources and places of safety, it can guide initial response actions, assist with identifying those who need help and help to reduce impact in the local community. This is even more important when schools and colleges are involved and affected.

The meeting and process draws on guidance from Public Health England in two documents, Identifying and Responding to Suicide Clusters, and Preventing Suicide in Public Places. Because of the industry’s rapid response to incidents, additional BTP visits, 72 hour reviews, station visits and signage audits, as well as support from Samaritans either through post incident support to the station or their Step by Step service puts us in a good position to provide information about any incidents and immediate actions delivered.