Help is Available: SEPTA and MCES Launch Suicide Prevention Pilot Program

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Help is Available: SEPTA and MCES Launch Suicide Prevention Pilot Program

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Signs Unveiled at Norristown Transportation Center

September 10, 2014

Illness, financial hardship, family crises - the reasons that lead someone to commit suicide are varied and, in some cases, never known. Signs unveiled at SEPTA's Norristown Transportation Center (NTC) today - Worldwide Suicide Prevention Day - let the public know that assistance is available for those contemplating suicide via the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK.

The signs were installed in the Manayunk/Norristown Line boarding areas at NTC as part of a pilot program partnership between SEPTA and Montgomery County Emergency Service, Inc. (MCES), a non-profit crisis psychiatric response center located in West Norriton, PA. The MCES' crisis hotline is part of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's national network of 163 response centers.

"The partnership with SEPTA and MCES is natural," said Scott Sauer, SEPTA's Chief Officer of System Safety. "Approximately 50 percent of the fatalities on SEPTA's rail system each year are ruled suicides. By placing the Lifeline signs at our stations, we believe that people who might think suicide is their only option will see that help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year."
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For more information about MCES, the crisis call center and assistance available for those struggling with suicidal ideation, click here or call 610-279-6100.