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The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) is joining with the Bay Area Suicide and Crisis Intervention Alliance (BASCIA) to launch a multi-pronged campaign to address a recent increase in suicides and suicide attempts on district ­property.

 

The centerpiece of the campaign launch is station signage directing troubled patrons to call the toll-free National Suicide Lifeline, including the phrase “Suicide is not the route” and the phone number. This phrase has been tested in an MTA Long Island Rail Road campaign that has seen an increase in calls to the number.

 

“We looked at what other transit agencies have done on the topic and, with the help of local mental health experts, determined what steps would be appropriate for BART,” said Deputy General Manager Marcia deVaughn. “Posting a help line and providing training to our employees are some of the key things we can do as a transit agency.”

 

Another key component is training frontline BART staff on how to recognize and help a person in crisis. BASCIA will assist BART with this training.

 

“We are pleased that BART reached out to us for help with this important issue and we appreciate their help in getting our Lifeline number out to the public,” said Nancy Salamy, executive director of Alameda County Crisis Support Services, a member of BASCIA.