Tracksafe: Minding the conversation gap on Rail R U OK?Day

The inaugural Rail R U OK?Day on April 16 will see rail companies across Australia hold activities and provide opportunities for staff to engage in conversations about their emotional status by prompting them to answer one simple question: “Are you ok?”

The campaign is the result of a collaboration between R U OK? and the TrackSAFE Foundation and aims to give rail staff the confidence and capacity to talk about life’s ups and downs and help them feel safe and supported whilst at work.

“The rail network is a workplace; train drivers, guards, emergency services and other rail industry employees are the first people on the scene when incidents take place on the network and for them, severe mental, physical and emotional trauma can result from witnessing such an event,” said TrackSAFE Chairman Bob Herbert AM.

“Rail R U OK?Day supports our existing trauma management program and aims to increase awareness about the importance of looking out for each other in the workplace, which is crucial to an industry that is too often affected by suicide and the consequential trauma suffered by rail employees,” said Mr Herbert.

R U OK? Chairman Mike Connaghan said the partnership with TrackSAFE promotes an important message to a national industry, which will help to create a world where everyone is connected and protected from suicide.

“Rail R U OK?Day will see industry employers and employees foster an environment of support and encouragement, so that asking ‘are you ok?’ becomes standard practice,” said Mr Connaghan.

Research shows that a strong sense of community and trust between colleagues is crucial in workplaces where frontline employees experience higher exposure to trauma.

“We believe that this day of action will contribute to the reduction of trauma caused to train drivers and other rail employees and will empower people to help a workmate, whether it be on Rail R U OK?Day or any day,” he said.

The inaugural Rail R U OK?Day will be launched on 16 April 2015 at Central Station in Sydney by The Hon. Sussan Ley MP, Minister for Health and Chairman of TrackSAFE, Bob Herbert AM.

For more info visit: http://tracksafefoundation.com.au/rail-ruok-day/