A call for compassion on the rail network during mental health awareness week
Railway Children and Govia Thameslink Railway partner to raise awareness of young people’s mental health across the rail network.
Date: 11/5/2026
A Call for Compassion on the Rail Network During Mental Health Awareness Week
Railway Children and Govia Thameslink Railway partner to raise awareness of young people’s mental health across the rail network.
Date: 11th May 2026 | Author: Suzi Lawrence
Raising awareness of youth mental health on the rail network
During Mental Health Awareness Week, Railway Children is partnering with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) to highlight the mental health challenges faced by young people and the importance of recognising these issues across the rail network.
This important initiative is being supported by GTR’s “Your Station, Your Community Improvement Fund”, which has awarded a grant to strengthen Railway Children’s training, community engagement and direct intervention programmes along GTR routes.
Mental Health Awareness Week offers a vital opportunity to acknowledge the emotional pressures many young people are living with.
Too often, however, those struggles remain hidden in plain sight. Railway Children sees first-hand how mental health difficulties can influence a young person’s decisions, behaviour and even where they choose to spend their time.
Increasingly, the railway environment is becoming part of that story – a place where young people may seek safety, escape or simply somewhere to be unseen.
This week, and every week, Railway Children is calling on adults across the UK to look beyond perceived “bad” behaviour and see the child behind the struggle. By raising awareness of how mental health affects young people, and how the railway can sometimes become part of their coping journey, we can help ensure they receive understanding, compassion and support when they need it most.
By noticing a young person who appears withdrawn, distressed or unsure where to go, members of the public can play a vital role in helping them reach safety and find someone who will listen – a first step towards rebuilding their lives.
If you are concerned about a young person on or around the rail network, please speak to a member of rail staff, or contact the British Transport Police (BTP) by calling 0800 401 50 60 or texting 61016.
Vulnerable young people identified by BTP are referred to Railway Children, allowing the charity to provide specialist support tailored to their needs.
Everybody – parents, teachers, rail workers, neighbours and community members – can make a positive impact on a young person’s life.
“Across our network, our colleagues encounter young people who may be struggling in ways that aren’t immediately visible and that’s why this partnership with the Railway Children is so important. By increasing awareness and equipping our staff and passengers with the confidence to recognise when something isn’t right, we can help make sure young people are met with empathy, understanding and the right support at the moment they need it most. The railway should be a place of safety for everyone.”
Working together to spark change across the rail network
As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, Railway Children is collaborating with Govia Thameslink Railway to raise awareness of these issues across GTR’s rail community in the south of England. Passengers may notice campaign activity designed to reach both adults and young people, including posters on-board trains and in stations, tannoy announcements and social media content.
The campaign also includes messaging created specifically for young people, developed in collaboration with Railway Children’s Youth Platform, ensuring the voices and experiences of young people are central to the conversation.
Together, Railway Children and GTR are calling for greater compassion, awareness and understanding across the rail network.
By working together, we can help create a world where young people feel safe, seen and heard – and never have to navigate their mental health challenges alone.
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