Caltrain Seeks Public Support in Suicide Prevention Walk

A team of San Mateo County Transit District employees who manage Caltrain are stepping up to help end the stigma of mental illness and prevent suicide. The nine-member team will participate in the Out of the Darkness Overnight walk in San Francisco. The 18-mile fundraising event begins at dusk June 9 and goes overnight to June 10.  

The San Francisco Caltrain Station will be the half-way point for the 2,000-plus walkers expected to participate in the event.  

“Since Caltrain acquired the right of way in 1991, safety has been a top priority,” said Board Chair Adrienne Tissier. “Participating in this community-wide effort to prevent suicide is just one more effort to improve safety, one that is of particular importance to Caltrain.” 

Every year, Caltrain employees struggle with the aftermath of individuals who die by suicide on the railroad right of way. These tragic events affect not only the friends and family of the deceased but have a much broader impact, including employees, passengers on the trains and the local community.   

As a result, Caltrain has an ongoing commitment to suicide prevention. 

In 1996, Caltrain posted “No Trespassing” signs every 1,200 feet along its entire 55-mile corridor. In 2001, a suicide prevention sign with a telephone number to a crisis prevention center was added.  In 2010, the signs were redesigned as part of a national study to determine their effectiveness.  This year all the signs, which had begun to fade, were replaced.  

In addition, Caltrain has worked with local community organizations to implement suicide prevention plans including the City of Palo Alto Safety Net Project, Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention Advisory Committee, and the San Mateo County Suicide Prevention/Intervention Planning Committee.  

Caltrain partnered with members of the Palo Alto Safety Net Project to educate the news media on its roles and responsibilities pertaining to these sensitive incidents.   

The Transit Police Bureau, comprised of San Mateo County Sheriff’s officers, is responsible for policing Caltrain property. These highly-skilled law enforcement professions have received specialized Crisis Intervention Training to help them recognize people who may be a threat to themselves and refer them for appropriate treatment.   

Team members represent a cross-section of employees: Jayme Ackemann, government affairs officer; Grenville Berliner, schedules analyst; Michelle Bouchard, rail transportation director; Christine Dunn, public information officer; Pete LeBaron, maintenance supervisor; Marie Louise Schwartz-Honor, executive assistant; Gina Simi, interim community relations manager; and Ted Yurek, senior planner. April Maguigad, rail operations manager, is team captain. 

The public is invited to show its support for this important effort by making a donation to a member of the Caltrain team. Click here to make a tax deductible donation.  

Caltrain also sponsored a team in the 2006 Out of the Darkness Overnight. The three-person team surpassed its fundraising goal, bringing in more than $7,000 in donations from friends, coworkers and Caltrain riders. 

—Caltrain