Freight-Train Suicide Autopsies Spark Rail Industry Prevention Measures

A study from Portland, Oregon reported that to autopsies conducted on sixty-two train suicides prove that victims many have suffered more severe mental illness. Interestingly enough, it is also believed that the subjects wandered the tracks and looked up train schedules prior to their suicides. Many also lived near the tracks, spent time around railroads, knew someone who committed suicide by train, or focused on train as children. Due to the approximate 350 suicides by train per year suicide hotline phone numbers along with phones, have been posted along the tracks. Among the sixty-two victims studied, eighty-four percent showed at least three risk factors associated with suicide. The symptoms such as withdrawal, anger, anxiety, and statements of hopelessness were exhibited and ignored. Some of the cases even had mental illnesses, and substance abuses.

Based upon the chapter on mental illnesses, it becomes even more apparent how important it is for those battling depression and other mental illnesses need to seek help. When these illnesses go untreated or unrecognized, it can lead to severe consequences. It was interesting how this article discussed how many people seemed to be planing these suicides. When we discussed people who jump in front of trains in class, it was speculated that most of these suicides were spontaneous. This article proved the exact opposite. I also think that it was an excellent idea to install phones and have signs with the suicide hotline on various train tracks. I do not know if it will be beneficial, but hopefully it will help some of those contemplating their suicide.