ScotRail is encouraging customers and staff to take action to support mental health during Mental Health Awareness Week with messages appearing across stations throughout the country.
Throughout the week, audio announcements and customer information screens across the ScotRail network have carried reminders encouraging people to speak openly about mental health and remember that it is “OK to talk”.
The campaign forms part of ScotRail’s wider focus on colleague wellbeing and creating what the company describes as a supportive and inclusive workplace culture.
The train operator said one of the key aims within its Public Sector Equality Duty report is to improve awareness and support around physical and mental wellbeing for staff.
ScotRail currently provides support through a confidential Employee Assistance Programme alongside a network of trained Mental Health First Aiders working across the business.
All staff have access to a confidential 24 hour Employee Assistance Programme offering support on issues including mental health, emotional wellbeing, bereavement, relationships and financial wellbeing.
The company also has 130 trained Mental Health First Aiders who provide peer support, confidential conversations and guidance towards additional services where needed.
ScotRail says it plans to expand that network later this year as part of wider efforts to normalise conversations around mental health and make support more visible across the organisation.
The company also works with charities including Samaritans and AndysManClub to provide additional support and awareness.
ScotRail first partnered with AndysManClub in 2022 with the relationship formally becoming the company’s first wellbeing partnership in 2024.
That partnership has now been extended until 2029.
Since the partnership began, AndysManClub has supported ScotRail with presentations and wellbeing events focused on male mental health, suicide prevention and inclusion.
Jill Loftus said:
“ScotRail helps to connect people and communities, and we know that supporting mental health is an important part of creating a safe and inclusive environment for both our customers and colleagues.
“This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’ve been encouraging people across Scotland to take action to support good mental health and to remember that it is ‘OK to talk’.
“This work is part of our wider commitment to ensuring colleagues have access to the support they need to thrive at work, while also helping raise awareness of the support available more broadly across the communities we serve.”
