Small Talk Saves Lives: Network Rail backs Samaritans campaign as life-saving interactions more than double

Thursday 5 Mar 2026

Small Talk Saves Lives: Network Rail backs Samaritans campaign as life-saving interactions more than double

Region & Route:: Eastern; | Eastern: North & East

Network Rail is reminding everyone that when it comes to saving a life, you already have a life-saving kit available to you – your words.

Anyone can do it.

Samaritans’ annual Small Talk Saves Lives campaign, in partnership with Network Rail, British Transport Police and the wider rail industry, launches across the country today (Thursday 5 March) encouraging people to start a simple conversation if they think someone doesn’t look okay.

There were 195 life-saving interactions on Network Rail’s North & East route* in 2024/25, new figures have shown – an increase of 103% compared to 2020/21.

Louise McNally, Network Rail principal suicide & trespass prevention specialist, said:

“Millions of people pass through the rail network each day, and every single one of them could ask a simple question or say a friendly comment that could make all the difference. By encouraging colleagues and passengers to pause and start a conversation with someone who looks like they might need help, we’re encouraging people to make looking out for one another second nature and reminding them that small talk really can save lives.”

A survey commissioned by Samaritans found that over three quarters (78%) of Brits admitted to having avoided small talk in the past, despite 59% of respondents stated they would appreciate kind words from a stranger if they were visibly upset, and two thirds (68%) said they would be more inclined to make small talk with a stranger if they knew it made a positive impact.

Dave Brown, head of rail at Samaritans, said:

“We know that people are often worried about saying the wrong thing to someone who is visibly upset, but it’s always better to say something than nothing at all. A brief chat, about the weather, or asking someone where they can grab a coffee, can be all it takes to interrupt those negative thoughts. Your words are a life-saving kit.”

Superintendent Sam Painter, British Transport Police lead for protecting vulnerable people, said:

“We continue to work closely with Samaritans and Network Rail to ensure that those experiencing a mental health crisis receive timely and appropriate help. While a moment of small talk could help someone feel less alone, we also encourage anyone who sees a person they believe is in distress on the railway network to report it to us by texting 61016 or calling 999 in an emergency.”

Small Talk Saves Lives events are taking place at stations across the North & East route, including:

Hull: 5 March (09:00-11:00)
Halifax: 6 March (07:30-10:00)
Sowerby Bridge: 11 March (07:30-10:00)
Huddersfield: 14 March (10:30-13:00)
Sheffield: 14 March (11:00-13:30)
Selby: 19 March (07:30-09:00)
Hebden Bridge: 19 March (07:30-10:00)

For more information about the campaign, visit Samaritans.org/smalltalksaveslives or join the conversation on social media using #SmallTalkSavesLives.

Notes to Editors

*The North & East route comprises Yorkshire & Humber, the North-East and parts of Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Life-saving interactions on the North & East route:
- 2020/21 96
- 2021/22 157
- 2022/23 168
- 2023/24 174
- 2024/25 195

Due to the proven link between certain types of media reporting of suicide and increases in suicide rates, please be mindful of Samaritans’ media guidelines for reporting suicide and reporting rail suicide.

In partnership with Network Rail, Samaritans has trained over 36,500 rail staff in suicide prevention, enabling them to identify and support people to safety. This is part of the charity’s long-standing partnership with the rail industry to reduce suicides and support those affected by them.

Mortar Research conducted the survey via an online omnibus poll of 2,008 UK-based respondents in January 2026.

About Samaritans

Every 10 seconds, Samaritans responds to a call for help.

Samaritans' volunteers are available round-the-clock to listen and support people. They won’t judge or tell you what to do.

Anyone in crisis can contact Samaritans, free, any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. This number won’t show up on your phone bill. Or you can visit www.samaritans.org

About Network Rail

We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.

Usually, there are almost five million journeys made in the UK and over 600 freight trains run on the network. People depend on Britain's railway for their daily commute, to visit friends and loved ones and to get them home safe every day. Our role is to deliver a safe and reliable railway, so we carefully manage and deliver thousands of projects every year that form part of the multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan, to grow and expand the nation's railway network to respond to the tremendous growth and demand the railway has experienced - a doubling of passenger journeys over the past 20 years.