With the surge in suicide attempts at specific train stations, the Kolkata Metro Railway has begun an audio awareness program to be played at the three stations of the North-South (Blue Line) corridor to discourage passengers who are contemplating committing suicide from doing so; instead, the program seeks to provide assistance and guidance on how to access available mental health services.
Purpose of the Campaign
The audio campaign was initiated in response to the increased number of suicide attempts on the Blue Line corridor over the previous four months. Additionally, data reveals that, during the four-month period, there were two suicide-related incidents in November, three in December, two in January, and three in February; this yields a total of 12 incidents over four months. If someone jumped from the tracks during one of these incidents, they might not have been found; therefore, they will not have an opportunity for medical assistance.
These suicide attempts resulted in the tragic loss of human life and disrupted METRORAIL service and, therefore, created fear or anxiety for commuters. Local discussions connected to these suicide attempts are part of the larger community’s statements about the safety of the entire METRORAIL system and raise questions about how much has to be done in order to create a non-violent surface area for metro passengers.
The Audio Message
The message in the new audio announcement, which is repeatedly broadcast using the public address speaker system at all three stations of the Blue Line, is meant to provide a clear statement against committing suicide, as well as to provide an opportunity for a person to seek help.
Suicide is no longer considered simply an individual choice; it has been recognised as a major social issue that can have a negative impact on entire families and communities
People who commute should avoid making quick, drastic decisions and should contact a 24/7 available crisis counselling service to assist them in their time of need.
The campaign communicates that “life is beautiful and full of potential” and that no matter how distressed an individual may be, there is no reason to end one’s own life.
Finally, the campaign encourages individuals to remember that the value of their lives is not only for themselves, but also for others who are affected.
The announcements are in Bengali with an ambient soundtrack of soft music; they were produced with the assistance of a private FM station in order to be part of an ongoing audio loop of announcements at metropolitan station locations.
Support and Outreach
The Metropolitan Administration is committed to utilizing this effort as a Pre-Emptive Intervention, by increasing awareness and sensitivity of regular commuters and staff; while creating opportunities for others to notice and assist someone in emotional distress.
Kolkata Metro runs anti-suicide awareness camps on the platforms where qualified and trained counsellors work directly with people using the trains, especially those who appear to be under emotional stress.
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Mental Health and Public Safety Context
The Kolkata Metro’s audio campaign is designed primarily to address suicide attempts occurring along the Blue Line; however, the larger issue is around the mental health of residents, not only in Kolkata, but in all major urban areas of India, and the continued high rates of suicide in India as a whole; experts often cite stress, anxiety, social isolation, and lack of access to timely supports as contributing factors.
In Kolkata, for example, there are other non-profits who operate telephone counselling services, such as the Lifeline Foundation, for individuals who are in emotional distress. This demonstrates the larger ecosystem of mental health resources available in Kolkata.
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Reactions to the Campaign
The local commuter and social media community has expressed various degrees of reaction to the Metro’s campaign; some embrace this effort as a positive step towards eliminating stigma, whilst others feel that greater structural efforts (i.e. installation of platform screen doors and improvements to the mental health infrastructure) are needed before any real impact will occur.
Despite the general opinion, the public sees these audio message qualities as a key component to having an outreach prevention strategy, which combines technology with human support and public messaging to help establish everyday connections to mental health issues.
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