Samaritans are encouraging the general public to help save lives through the use of small talk.
Samaritans are thought of as a special group of people who can help save people's lives when they are in turmoil and having thoughts of suicide. However, in truth, we all have the experience and ability to help save a life. Just striking a conversation and making small talk with someone can be all it takes to interrupt a person's suicidal thoughts.
Together with Network Rail and the British Transport Police, Samaritans are campaining to encourage members of the public to take action to prevent suicide on the railways and beyond.
Samaritans volunteer, Evie, who also runs the Hastings and Rother branch said: "Suicide is preventable and any one of us could have an opportunity to save a life. A phrase as simple as, ‘I can’t believe this weather’, could be enough to interrupt a person’s suicidal thoughts. Even if small talk doesn’t come naturally to you, if something doesn’t feel right, please try to start a conversation. There’s no evidence you’ll make things worse.”
As part of this campaign, Samaritans around the country will be talking to commuters at train stations between 7th and 19th November 2018 to encourage the public to act if they notice someone who may be at risk. Being so close to a train station, this is a very important campaign to Hastings and Rother Samaritans, and by encouraging every-day commuters we may all be able to help save lives.
Identifying someone with suicidal feelings isn't always easy, but it's best to just trust your instincts. If you think "There's something about their behaviour that doesn't feel quite right." then use small talk. Listen to them, and keep them talking, it could make all the difference. For more information on warning signs, or for any questions you have, you can find more information here.
Small Talk Saves Lives was developed after research showed passengers could have a key role to play along with the thousands of rail staff and British Transport Police now trained by Samaritans in suicide prevention.
Samaritans have also released a video for the Small Talk Saves Lives campaign, which you can watch here.
Find out more about Small Talk Saves Lives at: www.samaritans.org/smalltalksaveslives. You can also support by following the campaign @samaritanscharity on Instagram or sharing the video on Twitter @samaritans or Facebook at www.facebook.com/samaritanscharity, using the hashtag #SmallTalkSavesLives.