A train operator has been recognised for its work on suicide prevention and mental health.

ScotRail, which operates train in Carlisle, won the Employer of the Year for First Aid Excellence award at the Sottish First Aid awards on March 31 this year.

ScotRail said that from the onset of the pandemic, the operator enhanced its longstanding work to promote positive mental health, recognising the importance of keeping mental health awareness and support at the forefront of people’s minds.  

ScotRail introduced trauma support training for its frontline management team to ensure staff who may be involved in, or witness to, a traumatic event receive the ‘appropriate support’ in these upsetting times.

In October 2021, ScotRail introduced its ‘travel safe team’, which works with the British Transport Police.

The train operator has also recruited a safeguarding manager to support the team and help look out for vulnerable people who may be travelling on the rail network. 

Martin Gravil, fatigue manager at ScotRail, said: “The challenges faced by our staff and those in the communities we serve has been at the forefront of our minds in recent years.  

“ScotRail worked tirelessly to ensure people felt safe and confident to travel when being welcomed back to the railway following the pandemic, and we’ll continue to promote positive mental health and reach as many people as possible across Scotland in the months and years ahead.”