10.10.19
‘Quick-thinking’ ScotRail employee nominated for lifesaver award
Today (October 10), on World Mental Health Day, a ScotRail employee has been nominated for a top award after his rapid response to noticing and helping a vulnerable person.
Christopher Harvie, customer service team leader, has been nominated for the Samaritans Lifesaver Award after he intervened to help a rail customer showing distress in Haymarket station on Thursday 8 August 2019.
He approached the customer and comforted them until the emergency services arrived. He feared that the person was at risk of harm and ushered them to a safe place.
Christopher is one of 50 ScotRail employees who have recently undergone mental health first aid training. The training aims to equip employees with the tools to the guide and support anyone experiencing problems.
The extensive, NHS-accredited training, outline how to identify a vulnerable person and guide them towards help and support.
ScotRail Head of Customer Operations Phil Campbell said: “Christopher is a credit to Scotland’s Railway and it’s fantastic to see that our mental health training has had a positive effect.
“Even if it’s just one person going through a difficult time that gets the help they need then it’s all worthwhile.”
The nomination is for the upcoming Rail Staff Awards 2019.
Potential ‘Lifesaver’, Christopher, said: “The mental health first aid training I received was really helpful in giving me valuable skills to notice the signs of a person in need.
“I am really happy that I was able to use those skills and play a part in helping to potentially save someone’s life.”
Representatives from the Samaritans have also been participating in events at Paisley Gilmour Street station yesterday, 9 October, and today at Edinburgh Waverley to talk about their #RealPeopleRealStories campaign.
In addition to this, police officers and staff at Leicester train station are working with the NHS and other agencies today to ask commuters if they “are OK?” during World Mental Health Day.
The RUOK? initiative aims to support mental wellbeing and engage people in a short conversation to show how small acts can make a big difference to vulnerable people who might be feeling isolated.
Mental health specialists are also on hand to support or guide anyone who wants to talk about the issue.