Swiss rail company works on reducing suicides
BERN, SWITZERLAND – The disturbing announcement that a Swiss train line is down and trains are running late because of a “person accident” will end Saturday, says the CFF/SBB rail company, as part of its efforts to reduce the number of suicides and suicide attempts.
The change is part of the introduction of the new 2016 train schedule Sunday 13 December, and is the result of advice provided by experts consulted by the rail company during the last year. While the CFF does not provide a figure for attempted and completed acts of suicide, it says that in recent years the number has been “very high”, with attempted suicides often resulting in very serious injuries. “The consequences are also heavy for the train engineers, railway staff and passengers.”
Discouraging copycat attempts is a priority
Each announcement tends to be followed by copycat actions and experts are recommending that such information be kept from the public in the interest of saving lives – the CFF apologizes for the lack of transparency this involves, arguing that preventing suicide attempts is a higher priority.
In the event of a “person accident” in future only people on the train(s) directly affected will be given information, and this personally rather than through an announcement, with counseling help offered.