NI sporting heroes back Translink NI Railways and Samaritans ‘We’re In Your Corner’ campaign –

The campaign has secured support from a wide range of local sporting personalities to help reinforce the message that support is available to anyone in need.

Speaking at the launch, Liam said: “I offer my total support to the Samaritans and in particular to the Emotional Health Campaign.

“Emotional stability is dependent on many contributing circumstances. No one feels great all the time and so it is relatively easy to slip from the top of the emotional scale to the bottom. Getting back on track and back up that emotional scale can be difficult. To achieve that formula to become balanced and confident emotionally, make time to relax, have a good diet, exercise and know the warning signs.

“Many people find talking to someone else is the best way to get help. This I feel is where the Samaritans can help. Years of experience in helping the vulnerable, means people with tremendous expertise are ready and willing to offer help and support. Be it via a telephone call, email, letter or visit, the Samaritans are very often the spark which ignites that journey back to a full and balanced emotional health.

“This is why i am in total support and admiration for the Samaritan organisation.”

The campaign targets men, who are three times more likely to take their own lives than women, urging them to talk about their problems and consider calling Samaritans’ helpline.

In addition, a special training programme is now being rolled out across Translink NI Railways. It is modelled on a successful five-year partnership between Samaritans and Network Rail in Great Britain***.

The Translink programme features a range of suicide prevention and post – incident activities including:

 training for rail employees to equip them with the skills and confidence to deal with someone in distress before making a sensitive referral to Samaritans;

* setting-up a regional ‘call out’ service to support people in distress at railway sites; and

* support provision for rail employees and members of the public who have witnessed a fatality.