Table 3 What can the rail industry do to prevent suicide attempts on the railways?

1. Means Restriction

Barriers/doors/fencing, of which:

58

36.48%

 • At stations/on platforms

31

19.50%

 • Lineside

15

9.43%

 • On rail bridges

6

3.77%

 • At level-crossings

3

1.89%

 • Unspecified (e.g. ‘barriers’)

11

6.92%

 - BUT difficult/unfeasible/prohibitive

9

5.66%

Other environmental interventions to reduce access to means:

 • Slowing down trains as they approach stations

6

3.77%

 • Modifications to trains

2

1.26%

2. Increase Likelihood of Intervention

 Increase/improve staffing

33

20.75%

 Staff training

17

10.69%

 Increase public awareness/education

17

10.69%

 Cameras, security, improved monitoring

8

5.03%

3. Communications and Signage

Dissuasive messaging highlighting:

 • Impact on others (especially driver, family, bystanders)

13

8.18%

 • Possibility of survival with injury/challenge lethality

8

5.03%

 • Impact on body

2

1.26%

Reduce cognitive availability (e.g. via announcements)

4

2.52%

Signage, of which:

30

18.87%

 • Crisis signage with helpline contacts (e.g. Samaritans)

25

15.72%

 • Messages of hope/support

4

2.52%

 • Highlighting impact on others

2

1.26%

 • Encouraging intervention/reaching out

1

0.63%

 • Humorous ads

1

0.63%

4. Station Atmosphere and Design

 Stations generally nicer/friendlier

6

3.77%

 Safe/quiet spaces/seating away from tracks

6

3.77%

 Blue/mood stabilising lights

4

2.52%

 More/better alert/help points and mechanisms to alert staff

4

2.52%

 Music

3

1.89%

 Plants/flowers

3

1.89%

 Sponsored help telephones away from platforms

1

0.63%

 Wider platforms

1

0.63%

 Writing on platforms (e.g. messages of hope)

1

0.63%

 Distracting noises

1

0.63%

 Easy way to get off the tracks for people who have changed their mind

1

0.63%

5. Other

 Nothing/very little can be done

27

16.98%

 Unsure

10

6.29%

 The rail industry is doing a lot/the right things

10

6.29%

 Not the rail industry’s fault/responsibility

8

5.03%

 Nothing should be done to prevent (my) suicide

4

2.52%

 Importance of multi-agency approach

4

2.52%

 Need/suggestions for targeted strategies (e.g. focus on quiet locations)

17

10.69%

 Other

4

2.52%

What could make things worse?

n/119^a

%

Unhelpful interventions/interactions (with staff, police or others)

23

19.33%

Unstaffed/understaffed locations

11

9.24%

Announcements/reporting after a suicide, including:

11

9.24%

 • ‘Highlighting locations’ and method

5

4.20%

 • ‘Trying to cover suicides/fatalities up’

5

4.20%

 • ‘Making it sound like an inconvenience’

1

0.84%

 • Using the word ‘committed’

1

0.84%

Announcements/campaigns/talk about suicide prevention

4

3.36%

Signage

6

5.04%

Other environmental factors, including:

19

15.95%

 • Atmosphere (e.g. noise, tension, silence)

5

4.20%

 • Weather conditions

2

1.68%

 • Lack of measures:

  ◦ No signage

3

2.52%

  ◦ No fences

2

1.68%

  ◦ No staff training

1

0.84%

  ◦ No monitoring

1

0.84%

 • Digital screens (e.g. “large screens with depressing news”)

2

1.68%

 • Non-stopping trains

1

0.84%

 • Other

4

3.36%

Wider societal/financial/funding issues

6

5.04%

Not doing anything/more

4

3.36%

Nothing/not much could make things worse

12

10.08%

Unsure

22

18.49%

Other

4

3.36%