Support charities will be displaying posters across Melbourne’s railway stations encouraging people suffering from depression to seek help.
TrackSAFE in partnership with Lifeline, beyondblue and Metro Trains Melbourne, have launched the poster campaign with the message ‘Don’t hide it. Talk to someone’ to raise awareness of the existence of the support phone lines.
Kate Carnell, CEO of beyondblue, said: “This campaign is an important initiative in encouraging help-seeking. We want the public to be more aware and call 13 11 14.
“There is also valuable information on the beyondblue and Lifeline websites and the beyondblue info line that is there to assist people that might be going through something, no matter how small or big.”
Australian rail industry initiative, trackSAFE, was founded in March 2012 to reduce incidents on the rail network.
TrackSAFE patron, Tim Fischer AC said: “trackSAFE was established to take a holistic approach to reduce incidents on the rail network and we are pleased to work with Lifeline and beyondblue on these important issues that profoundly affect the public and our rail employees.”
There were 186 fatalities on the Australian rail network in 2011 and with each one significantly affecting a range of people, the campaign is very timely.
Alan Woodward, executive director of the Lifeline Foundation for Suicide Prevention, encourages people to access the services available to them.
“Help is available, and we urge you to utilise the information and services offered by Lifeline and beyondblue. Together we can create a climate of help-seeking where members of the public access the available help services in times of crisis,” Mr Woodward said.
