Network Rail highlights hope

Network Rail has launched the There is Always Hope campaign to address the rising mental health issues in the midst of the current pandemic.

Research from Network Rail and national mental health charity, Chasing the Stigma indicates that almost three quarters of 18-24-year-olds (69 per cent) say that Covid-19 has had a negative impact on their mental health compared to 28 per cent of over 65s.

Network Rail’s new There is Always Hope campaign is aimed at encouraging those struggling with their mental health to seek help before they reach crisis point and the rail infrastructure organisation has partnered with Chasing the Stigma to create a new film which portrays a young man looking distressed and withdrawn, who finds himself surrounded by positive moments of hope as he moves through a railway station.

The film ends with a call to action encouraging people to download the Hub of Hope app if they are struggling with their mental health. The Hub of Hope app is provided by Chasing the Stigma and brings together all of the mental health support available to someone in any given area, from NHS support and national charities like Mind and Samaritans to voluntary, private and third sector services.

Andrew Haines, chief executive of Network Rail said: “We have a huge responsibility to keep people safe and support the wellbeing of both our staff and passengers. Through this campaign, we are trying to help vulnerable people who are at risk before they even come to the rail network by signposting them towards support services through the Hub of Hope.”

The latest campaign forms part of the rail industry’s efforts to reduce suicides across the rail network. Ongoing measures are being taken to prevent such incidents from taking place, such as training industry staff and running campaigns such as Small Talk Saves Lives, which calls on people to look out for one another and intervene safely if they see someone who might need help.

There is Always Hope however, has been created with the input of suicide prevention and mental health experts to signpost those at risk of suicide towards support services much earlier on in their mental health journey, before the idea of ending their life on the railway becomes a conscious thought.

The campaign is live across national media outlets, social media platforms and music and podcast streaming sites.

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