London Underground

London Underground, better known as the Tube, has 11 lines covering 402km and serving 270 stations. Opened in 1863, it is the world’s oldest underground railway network, and one of the largest. We are responsible for all aspects of the Tube’s operations including running the trains, stations and control centres, making sure the Tube is safe and secure, and collecting and protecting fares revenue. We are also responsible for the maintenance and renewal of most of the infrastructure used by the Tube, although some services run over track and these are the responsibility of Network Rail.

How does your organisation contribute to preventing suicide and supporting those affected by it?

Since 2017 we have had a dedicated team to deliver a programme in reducing suicides and increasing awareness for both customers and staff.

Support is provided to internal staff following a suicidal incident through an Occupational Health system.

What are your current priorities?

– To reduce suicides by 10%, increase the number of interventions by staff, and reduce lost customer hours.

– Increase awareness internally and externally.

– Increase reporting from front line staff of interventions.

– Provide guidance to Operations on how to spot, what to do and action to take to approach, intervene and prevent.

– Report a decrease in suicides and an increase in interventions.

What challenges are you currently facing?

Affordability in reduction of budgets due to the governments grant change to the organisation.

A large staff base, with little room for releasing staff for training.

Large scale of complexities in preventing suicides on the tube due to volume of people in an urban environment.