Now more than ever, it is important to raise awareness of mental health, reducing stigma and promoting available help and support to our passengers and customers. Analysis of data by the Network Rail Route Crime and Suicide Prevention team showed a large number of mental health related incidents at a Hertfordshire station.
As part of the detailed action plan the mental health risk issue was looked at. The Health Improvement Coordinator Mental Health and Suicide Prevention at Hertfordshire Council Public Health was contacted to see if an NHS 24/7 mental health crisis line existed across the County.
Based on previous collaborative work in Warwickshire it was proposed to produce posters onto A3 Foamex and display them at all Hertfordshire stations on the North West and Central Region.
A high definition design was agreed and approved by the Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and production funded by Network Rail with fitment approval granted through London Northwestern Railway and Arriva Rail London.
A day of action by Richard Godwin, Suicide Prevention Co-ordinator for Network Rail North West and Central Region and West Midlands Trains and Natalie Stretton, Route Crime and Security Manager West Coast South Route took place on 24th March with 26 posters installed at 7 mainline stations. A second day to cover the remaining 2 mainline and 6 branch line stations is planned for 28th April.
