ON what’s labelled the most depressing day of the year, staff at West Midlands Trains visited stations across the region, including Stourbridge Junction, to promote suicide awareness.

The third Monday in January has been dubbed Blue Monday but the Samaritans charity has named it Brew Monday to encourage people to catch-up with loved ones over a cuppa, check in and let them know there is help if they are having difficulties.

On January 16, staff from train operator West Midlands Trains stopped at stations along the West Midlands Railway network – including Stourbridge Junction – to offer support to colleagues.

Elloise Harvey, engagement and wellbeing manager at West Midlands Trains, said: “It’s been great to get out on our network and promote Brew Monday, encouraging our colleagues to stay connected by having a cuppa and a catch-up.

“Throughout the day, our volunteers opened up conversations around mental health, including topics around suicide awareness and prevention. Providing colleagues with guidance on how to take action when they spot someone in a mental health crisis.

“Working in the rail industry, we all have a part to play in preventing suicides on the network and in the wider community. We hope that by taking a proactive approach to raising awareness of suicide prevention support, we will equip our colleagues with the confidence and ability to intervene.”

West Midlands Railway signed the Railway Mental Health Charter this month and 20 railway colleagues have become fully qualified Mental Health First Aiders.

In addition, more than 25,000 rail industry staff have been trained on Samaritans courses to provide them with the skills and confidence to identify and approach vulnerable people on the rail network and lead them to safety.

As a result, 16,681 life-saving interventions have been carried out by rail staff, British Transport Police, police and members of the public since BTP began keeping records in April 2013.