Suicide and Rail Suicides

Background: Last week or so, Metrolink [at least at Downtown Burbank Station] started a new PSA [Public Service Announcement] on the overhead speaker. This is what was being said:

“You’ve fought through too many yesterdays to not see the beauty of tomorrow.” — Unknown

I thought about it for a week and had to contact Metro and tell them that the message was not geared toward a general audience. Right off, I know most suicides are male [at least on the track] and cannot imagine a man relating or being persuaded enough to reach out for help by this message.

I went on to tell them that they might want to contact the health department who could review suicide statistics and give them a better PSA that would fit the target audience.

I look for situations to exercise my public health knowledge where it might better serve the community.

So, I am taking it upon myself to research who the target audience is, in the U.S. and California using the rails and other methods to end one's life.

Since my messaging Metro, they changed the overhead message to [from NSPL]: "If you are in crisis, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK" It's the most appropriate message, from my research so far. For example, the message is short and direct, the language is simple for just about anyone to understand [age, amount of education, etc.,] but more importantly, it includes the responsibility of others, like employers, friends, and family to be aware of the signs that a loved one might be thinking about suicide. In other words, prevention comes before someone comes down to the railroad tracks, and everyone must partake in prevention measures.

Another example, of prevention, is Blue Help, for law enforcement officers who might need help. There is so much stigma that prevents an officer from seeking help, like their partner thinking depression would alter their partner's response time in a shooting situation. Blue H.E.L.P.

I will give as many as statistics as possible and information, thus far, Metrolink is missing signage and I need to know if their overhead speaker PSA is for rail suicides or all suicides and for the general public that frequents the train and bus stations.

Here are two signs from the NCTD [North County Transportation District] at Oceanside: [The first sign is at the South side of the station and the second sign is in the middle up higher, so you see it when you're looking at the train arrivals and departures [also from NSPL]:

USA Suicides - NIMH

Rate: 13.9 per 100,000 in 2019

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) WISQARS Leading Causes of Death Reports, in 2019:

Suicide was the tenth leading cause of death, overall, in the United States, claiming the lives of over 47,500 people.

Suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34, and the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 44.

There were nearly two and a half times as many suicides (47,511) in the United States as there were homicides (19,141).

Demographics

Gender

In 2019, the suicide rate among males was 3.7 times higher (22.4 per 100,000) than among females (6.0 per 100,000).

Among females, the suicide rate was highest for those aged 45-64 (9.6 per 100,000).

Among males, the suicide rate was highest for those aged 75 and older (39.9 per 100,000).

Race 

The crude rates of suicide were highest for American Indian males (33.4 per 100,000).

White (29.8 per 100,000).

Among females the crude rates of suicide were highest for American Indian (11.1 per 100,000) White females (8.0 per 100,000).

Rate by state

Wyoming has the highest 29.3 per 100,000 & New Jersey the lowest 8 per 100,000.

Other Contributing factors - UHF

Veterans compared with non-veteran adults.

Those living in rural areas compared with those living in urban areas.

LGBTQ adults and youth compared with heterosexual adults and youth.

The U.S. has the highest suicide rate of any wealthy nation - CWF.

Potential factors that contribute to the high U.S. suicide rate include a high burden of mental illness, a lack of mental health screening, inadequate investment in social services, and the inability of many people to pay for mental health treatment.

Overall there is an increase in suicide rates with lower amounts of income and educational status. This seems to vary though from country to county, state to state, with race playing an important factor along with being enrolled in college.

California Suicides - CDC

10.7 per 100,000 persons - 4436 total persons.

California Counties - Let's get healthy California

Los Angeles County - 8.2 per 100,000 persons.

Trinity County highest - 37.3 per 100,000 [Northern California] .

Population - 16.060 July 2021.

Imperial County lowest - 6.2 per 100,000 [Southern California].

Population - 179,851 July 2021.

The only difference in these two counties is population; everything else is about the same, i.e. gender and age distribution.

These differences might be due to urban versus rural, support systems, and other defining socioeconomic factors.

Demographics

Men, who have a suicide rate 3.7 times higher than women. 

American Indian/Alaska Native 

White population have highest suicide rates

Suicide rates among Hispanic, Black and Asian/Pacific Islander populations are significantly lower than rates among American Indian/Alaska Native and White populations.

Veterans are more likely to commit suicide compared with non-veteran adults.

Those living in rural areas have higher suicide rates compared with those living in urban areas.

LGBTQ adults and youth have higher rates compared with heterosexual adults and youth.

Additional information

Suicide is the tenth-leading cause of death in the United States. It is the fourth-leading cause of death for adolescents ages 15-19 globally. In 2019, there were an estimated 3.5 million people who planned a suicide, 1.4 million suicide attempts and 47,511 deaths by suicide. Firearms were involved in half of all suicides, and there were more than twice as many deaths by suicide than by homicide.

When someone dies by suicide, as with any cause of death, the loss is felt by many people. The ripples of loss spread from close family and friends to community members, acquaintances and even people the deceased did not know. All of those exposed to the loss may experience different levels of grief and trauma. 

Societal costs associated with suicide and suicide attempts are estimated at $93.5 billion. These costs include lifetime medical fees and lost work costs. 

Mental health disorders and substance use disorders are the most significant risk factors for suicidal behaviors. In addition, environmental factors such as stressful life events and access to lethal means such as firearms or drugs may increase the risk of suicide. Previous suicide attempts and a family history of suicide are also important risk factors.

Farming

Researchers at the University of Iowa found that farmers, and others in the agricultural trade, had the highest suicide rate of all occupations from 1992 to 2010, the years they studied in 2017. The rate was 3.5 times that of the general population. This echoed a study conducted the previous year by the CDC.

A national map of rail trespass and suicide fatalities. (Volpe graphic)

USA Rail Suicides

3,687 lives have been lost as a result of “trespasser strikes” nationwide between 2012 and 2017 - FRA

1332 rail deaths were intentional rail suicides.

California, New York, Florida and Texas “consistently had the highest number of fatal trespasser strikes.

Incidents involve freight trains more often than passenger trains.

Consistent with national suicide trends, fatal rail suicide incidents involve men more often than women.

Faster-moving trains were generally more lethal than slower trains, but there were still several injuries involving trains traveling over 60 miles per hour, and fatalities involving trains traveling under 15 miles per hour.

Fatal incidents—intentional and unintentional—at pedestrian grade crossings take place during clear weather conditions and moderate temperatures, between 60° and 74° F.

Demographics

Rail suicide victims trend younger, under age 45.

Rail Suicides in California

California clocked in the most fatal hits - 250 suicides - 450 non-intentional rail strikes.

Rail suicides are committed either close to a station platform or close to rail crossings.

Suicide strikes were found to occur most often during the spring, while non-suicide strikes were most common during summer.

Suicides also tend to happen during the later evening hours – typically between 8 p.m. and 12 a.m. – on both weekdays and weekends.

Non-suicides were recorded most frequently during weekday evening commute hours (4 p.m. and 8 p.m.) and in the early morning before 4 a.m.

Suicide is one of the ten most common causes of death in the world. Of all deaths from suicide, 22% can be attributed to the use of alcohol, which means that every fifth suicide would not occur if alcohol were not consumed by the population. People under the influence of alcohol choose more radical and effective methods of dying by suicide, e.g., throwing themselves under a moving vehicle, such as a train.

Demographics

Males use rail for suicides more often than females.

The FRA has an extensive database covering mostly freight train strikes. Their data included demographics, but as of yet, I am unable to find local demographics pertaining to train strikes and commuter trains. [Upon looking at five years of newspaper articles revealed no patterns.]

California Homeless Rail Deaths & Suicides

The number of people hurt or killed on state rail lines has surged from 170 in 2013 to 254 in 2018, according to the Federal Railroad Administration. That doesn’t include collisions at crossings or on local transit systems, which also have increased in many places.

Six of the top 10 counties for so-called trespasser rail fatalities, not including suicides, from 2013 to 2017 were in California, with Los Angeles County ranking No. 1 in the nation. San Bernardino, Fresno, Riverside, Contra Costa, and San Diego counties also made the top 10.

The widespread use of smartphones and headphones has upped the risk of accidental rail casualties, and suicides by train are also on the rise.

“People become desensitized,” she said. “They know the sound of the trains and the rhythm of the schedules, and they don’t anticipate departures from that.”

-LA Times 2020

Metrolink Suicide Prevention Measures

Metrolink receives $59,000 grant for campaign to deter suicide on train tracks

By CITY NEWS SERVICE | news@socalnews.com |

PUBLISHED: April 8, 2021 at 2:51 p.m. | UPDATED: April 8, 2021 at 4:11 p.m.

Metrolink officials said suicides accounted for 40% of all incidents of trains striking pedestrians between 2017 and 2019.

The grant from the Federal Railroad Administration will fund an outreach campaign focused on training and public engagement, along with targeted awareness efforts at four “hot spots”:

• North Orange County between Anaheim and Santa Ana
• South Orange County from San Juan Capistrano through San Clemente
• San Fernando Valley between Van Nuys and Burbank
• San Fernando/Sylmar area

Metrolink officials said a contributing factor to suicides by train is the prevalence of homeless people living near the tracks. According to the agency, research shows that the availability of a means of death is a major factor in suicides.

“Metrolink is eager to work with law enforcement and community groups to help in any way we can to educate individuals homeless encampments about options available to them,” said Metrolink CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “This grant is a force multiplier for our efforts to keep people safe in the vicinity of our tracks.”

The agency already displays the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800-273-8255, on posters and its electronic signs at rail stations.

Other Preventative Measures - FRA

• Global Railway Alliance for Suicide
• Prevention (GRASP)
• Countermeasure Pilot Testing
• Intent Determination
• Prevalence/Demographic Assessments
• GIS Mapping
• Media Reporting Intervention Points

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Trespassing is the leading cause of rail-related fatalities in the United States.[https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/37441]

If you're a bus and/or train patron you might've noticed the new signs along the tracks stating a $1500 fine for being on the train platform when there is no intention of riding the trains. Reducing the number of people along the train track platforms will reduce the number of train strikes [hits].

Reasons for Rail Suicides

Five main themes were identified as being significant: 

“certain and instant,” 

“impersonal and non-human,” 

“ability to be planned,” 

“a good death,” and 

“bereavement suicide -- https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-81136-001

Strategies to reduce suicide include

Universal screening at emergency rooms to identify patients at higher risk of suicide.

Safety planning at emergency rooms to assist patients with suicidal behaviors by providing them with a prioritized list of evidence-based coping strategies and sources of support.

Cognitive behavioral therapy to identify and manage suicidal thoughts. 

Reducing access to lethal means such as firearms, lethal doses of medications and alcohol. 

Evidence from studies over the past two decades shows a strong association between the presence of a firearm in the home and an increased risk of suicide for the gun owner and the gun owner’s spouse and children. 

At the community level, the Gun Shop Project builds partnerships between firearms businesses and public health experts to provide firearm suicide prevention educational materials to firearms retailers, instructors and customers. 

Devoting resources to the ten public health domains of suicide prevention outlined in The State of State, Tribal and Territorial Suicide Prevention report.

Rail Station Suicide Prevention Strategies

A relatively inexpensive suicide prevention measure could consist of placing signs with phone numbers to call for help at station platforms and access points to the track.

Surveillance can be accomplished directly by rail personnel or by equipment such as closed-circuit television. Personnel can handle identification, either on location or remotely. Then a response and intervention may be carried out by personnel already on the rail property, or perhaps by loudspeaker. Another option is to target all trespassers in certain locations.

Maintain records, collecting details for specific prevention measures.

Overhead speaker messages, barriers around tracks, not sensationalizing details via media and on social media sites. [The reporting of a suicide death in the media has the potential to increase imitative suicide attempts for vulnerable individuals]

Platform screen doors, suicide pits, blue lights, and improved media guidelines all have the potential to reduce rail‐related suicide events and deaths. [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/appy.12246]

What can you do?

Be aware of the signs that are stated in the above graphic.

If you're at a station and see someone too close to the tracks or on the tracks, report it. [https://railsuicideprevention.co.uk/messages-of-mental-health-support-at-rail-stations/]

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Reducing the suicide rate from 14.2 to 12.8 suicides per 100,000 population is a Healthy People 2030 objective.

[https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/mental-health-and-mental-disorders/reduce-suicide-rate-mhmd-01]