Health · Mental Health · 8 hrs ago
Rail workers share stories in campaign to prevent suicide on the tracks
A new suicide-prevention campaign in the Netherlands features stories from train drivers, conductors and ProRail staff.
The campaign was launched by 113 and railway companies to help reduce suicides on the railway.
About 200 people die each year in train collisions in the country, and suicide attempts happen more often.
Workers describe approaching people they feared might be at risk and talking with them until they moved away from danger.
One conductor says asking directly whether someone intended to jump helped her reach a person on a platform.
A ProRail incident responder says staff work with police to find people in danger and connect them with help.
The campaign encourages people to start a conversation, and workers say direct questions about suicide can be appropriate.
A new campaign in the Netherlands is sharing railway workers’ experiences to help prevent suicide on the tracks.
The campaign is run by suicide-prevention organisation 113 and railway companies.
Machinists, conductors and ProRail staff are telling how they have encountered people at risk and tried to help them.
About 200 people die in train collisions in the Netherlands each year, NOS reports.
The campaign’s message is to start a conversation with someone who may be at risk.
- Who
- Railway workers, 113 and railway companies.
- What
- A campaign shares workers’ stories to help prevent suicide on the tracks.
- When
- The campaign was reported on 12 October 2026. The sources do not state when it began.
- Where
- The Netherlands, on and around railway tracks and stations.
- Why
- The campaign aims to help reduce suicides on the railway and encourage people to talk with those at risk.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Annual deaths
- About 200 people die in train collisions in the Netherlands
- Campaign partners
- 113 and railway companies
- Glenda’s experience
- One suicide and about 20 encounters with suicidal people during 8.5 years as a head conductor
- Dennis Heijne’s experience
- Nearly 190 collisions encountered as a ProRail incident responder
What people are saying
I talked to her for about an hour and a half.
Do ask that direct question about suicide.
I want to make a connection, to get someone out of the danger zone.
It happens several times a day that we prevent suicides ourselves.
Sources
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