trauma care for drivers after a fatality?

[larneavenged]

Does anyone know of any online help sites available to drivers in wake of a suicide? The samaritans mainly deal with suicide prevention for the potential "victim", so they are out of the question....but i just wondered if there is any online aftercare available to affected drivers? any thoughts?

Thank you

 

[RPM]

Not sure if any such sites exist but this sort of support should be available via the driver's employer. TOCs and FOCs are usually pretty good with this sort of thing.
I wouldn't rule out the Samaritains either. They will provide a listening service to anyone who is in distress.

 

[larneavenged]

Thanks for reply, It seems that TOC's will provide aftercare/trauma care when and where it is needed, but i just wondered if there was any 24hour service available to the driver? I just feel that we are really lacking in an online support program when drivers suffer a fatality.

 

[nr_signaller]

They have the btp fatality hotline they can call (believe its 24hrs)

 

[Hydro]

Network Rail has an on-call counselling company available, I'd imagine TOC's and FOC's will have similar arrangements.

 

[First class]

Thanks for reply, It seems that TOC's will provide aftercare/trauma care when and where it is needed, but i just wondered if there was any 24hour service available to the driver? I just feel that we are really lacking in an online support program when drivers suffer a fatality.

Staff Supporters are usually available in most companies. Employees who are sort of also "on call" for a bit of a chat when you need them.

NHS Direct can also assist out of hours.

 

[Redahead]

Thanks for reply, It seems that TOC's will provide aftercare/trauma care when and where it is needed, but i just wondered if there was any 24hour service available to the driver? I just feel that we are really lacking in an online support program when drivers suffer a fatality.

In addition to in house services already mentioned by others, the TOCs at which I have worked all have used third party providers of 24/7 support services, including counselling, available both by phone and online. This is paid for by the employer but is free (and can be anonymous) at the point of use and addresses exactly the point you mention above, meaning that it is not lacking. I keep the leaflet containing the numbers etc. both in my locker and at home, just in case.....

 

[TDK]

Thanks for reply, It seems that TOC's will provide aftercare/trauma care when and where it is needed, but i just wondered if there was any 24hour service available to the driver? I just feel that we are really lacking in an online support program when drivers suffer a fatality.

I have to dissagree, TOC's are extremely good at looking after any staff who have had a traumatic experience and offer many options for staff to overcome their trauma, I do not feel any more help is needed.

 

[AlterEgo]

Does anyone know of any online help sites available to drivers in wake of a suicide? The samaritans mainly deal with suicide prevention for the potential "victim", so they are out of the question....but i just wondered if there is any online aftercare available to affected drivers? any thoughts?

Thank you

Have you been affected by a suicide? All TOCs do provide pretty good after-care. But, if you're staff and you feel there isn't sufficient support, I'd really strongly advise you speak to your management and your union.

 

[142094]

Some TOCs (can't speak for all) will provide counselling for everyone involved - from driver, conductor to platform staff and those at the depot who have to deal with the clean up procedure.

 

[the sniper]

I just feel that we are really lacking in an online support program when drivers suffer a fatality.

Are you from a company looking to provide such a service then...?

 

[driver9000]

They have the btp fatality hotline they can call (believe its 24hrs)

That is for reporting fatalities and to give BTP further information on the incident not post trauma support.


TOC support to its staff involved in fatalities is very good, I was looked after very well after my incident (time off, counselling and no pressure to return before I was ready etc). I have details of a 24hr telephone service somewhere that we could call if we felt we needed to.

 

[185]

For those of us on the back end of the 24 wheeled mincing machine it's a bit worse

I had 5 full fatalities in total, including one where a rather tubby chap came right through the front (connector) door of a 158 at 90mph. My lovely delightful colleagues within hours had put it round that I'd tried to TIR / UPFN him for fare dodging

 

[EPB on Tour]

I have to dissagree, TOC's are extremely good at looking after any staff who have had a traumatic experience and offer many options for staff to overcome their trauma, I do not feel any more help is needed.

I have to dissagree with your statement.It could not be further from the truth for a number of firms who only are bothered about you being back at work,and not your wellbeing after an incident.

 

[TDK]

I have to dissagree with your statement.It could not be further from the truth for a number of firms who only are bothered about you being back at work,and not your wellbeing after an incident.

What firms are those then and what is your source?

 

[the sniper]

That is for reporting fatalities and to give BTP further information on the incident not post trauma support.

Correct. The BTP do though, like TOCs, have services available to their PCs and SPCs after dealing with a fatality.

 

[dk1]

There was no pressure on me to return to work what so ever. In fact i was positivley discouraged from doing so. Care first was excellent & up to 6 councilling sessions where paid for by my employer.

 

[sunday]

Just feel it is important to clarify that the Samaritans are there to offer support in a any situation, whilst they wont give advice in the traditional sense they offer a completely anonymous listening service and will speak to you about anything regardless of your role in the situation.

 

[TDK]

There was no pressure on me to return to work what so ever. In fact i was positivley discouraged from doing so. Care first was excellent & up to 6 councilling sessions where paid for by my employer.

I think that some of the comments on this subjest are just suppersition and not from a reliable source, I have been involved in the after care of drivers following a major traumatic incident and not once have any drivers been encouraged back to work with pressure put on them or treated in the manner that some folks may think they are, there are always cases where the driver will as some say milk the situation and on these rare occasions the person in charge of their chain of care will consult with the councillers before even thinking of talking to the person concerened, this is from experience and not hear say.

 

[larneavenged]

I have read through your replies, but other than approaching the toc's I am unable to find any online support for drivers. I am not from a company who provides this, as someone asked, I am a driver who has recently had a suicide . I have tried the samaritans, who have advised ne that I will be a stronger person for this, but again I am unable to find any specific support for drivers who have suffered a suicide. Hope that clears up my intentions to those of you who are sceptical As to the nature of my question. Thanks x

 

[RPM]

You really, really need to speak to your union reps. I assume you are in ASLEF or RMT? You simply shouldn't be treated like that, it is an outrage.

 

[AlterEgo]

I have read through your replies, but other than approaching the toc's I am unable to find any online support for drivers. I am not from a company who provides this, as someone asked, I am a driver who has recently had a suicide, young lad just turned 16, and I'm not scared to say that I am finding it hard to come to terms with, and struggling with the feelings and fears I have picked up as a result of it. I have tried to return to work some 8 weeks after the suicide,but having picked up an immense fear of the dark, and having dealt with a lot of negative comments fron the people with whom i work, I am now in a situation where I have been told by company doctor that I need A certain type of therapy, but my company are unable to offer this at this time, and have alternatively put me through a course if bereavment counselling which has turned out to have had a negative effect, due to the fact that I have not had a bereavement. As a result of the suicide, as the driver i have been named both locally and nationally in the newspapers, and again have strong feelings of anger concerning this. I have tried the samaritans, who have advised ne that I will be a stronger person for this, but again I am unable to find any specific support for drivers who have suffered a suicide. Hope that clears up my intentions to those of you who are sceptical As to the nature of my question. Thanks x

I assume you have a union such as RMT/ASLEF. I really strongly urge you to contact them, as they may be able to help. I hope things start looking up for you soon.

 

[Yew]

Hello larneavenged,

Just letting you know that everybody here is with you, and we all wish you the best of luck.

 

[TDK]

I have read through your replies, but other than approaching the toc's I am unable to find any online support for drivers. I am not from a company who provides this, as someone asked, I am a driver who has recently had a suicide, young lad just turned 16, and I'm not scared to say that I am finding it hard to come to terms with, and struggling with the feelings and fears I have picked up as a result of it. I have tried to return to work some 8 weeks after the suicide,but having picked up an immense fear of the dark, and having dealt with a lot of negative comments fron the people with whom i work, I am now in a situation where I have been told by company doctor that I need A certain type of therapy, but my company are unable to offer this at this time, and have alternatively put me through a course if bereavment counselling which has turned out to have had a negative effect, due to the fact that I have not had a bereavement. As a result of the suicide, as the driver i have been named both locally and nationally in the newspapers, and again have strong feelings of anger concerning this. I have tried the samaritans, who have advised ne that I will be a stronger person for this, but again I am unable to find any specific support for drivers who have suffered a suicide. Hope that clears up my intentions to those of you who are sceptical As to the nature of my question. Thanks x

It seems you are trying to overcome this yourself, you need some help, see your line manager, speak to them and also your union rep, tell them exactly how you feel and try not to keep it all to yourself, you can obviously express your feeling online and this is probably why you want an online service, you really need to talk to someone face to face as oinline support can be totally unrewarding.

If you need a chat online PM me!

 

[O L Leigh]

To answer the direct question, there are no online support services for traincrew caught up with fatalities.

The nature of the support offered is individual and tailored to the needs of the traincrew member, therefore it is usually delivered face-to-face. The problem with coming up with some form of online support service is getting it right so that it meets the needs of those who require it. Quite often the very best solution is simply to either speak to your GP or take the matters up with your line manager.

Having read a little more about your situation I'm sure that the public scrutiny isn't helping matters. However it is clear to me that you are not fit to return to driving. Being up on the footplate in your current state is clearly not the best situation for you. Speak to your manager and get yourself taken off driving duties until a better package of care can be provided for you, either through your employer or through your GP. Make it clear that you wish to return to driving and that you will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure you get back to your normal duties, but you equally need to be clear that you're not ready.

One of my colleagues had three fatals in a short space of time and was not prepared to go back driving until all three coroners inquests had been dealt with. Management happily put him "other duties" for the duration and now he's back out driving again.

Best of luck.

O L Leigh

 

[the sniper]

As a result of the suicide, as the driver i have been named both locally and nationally in the newspapers, and again have strong feelings of anger concerning this.

I can understand your anger at that! Surely this isn't a normal occurrence?

 

[larneavenged]

@The Sniper...to my knowledge its rare that a driver is named, but due to the circumstances of the suicide, mainly the age of the lad, it received a lot of press coverage locally, and was mentioned in a few national tabloids along with my name and parts of my police statement which the reporter chose to jumble around and rewrite. After speaking to the reporter responsible, I was informed that anything released at the coroners inquest was public information, and no mention had been made by the coroner to with hold my name. As a consequence, I now feel a lot of anger towards the situation, but I have been speaking with victim support this evening, and hopefully they will be able to point me in the right direction of the help i need.....fingers crossed x

 

[Expression357]

I am surprised that whatever company this is does not have an Employee Assistance Programme (EAS) with CareFirst or other similar external providers.

These guys are on the end of the phone to give support in many areas including work life balance, finance issues and importantly trauma incident support.

To larneavenged, your company may have such a set up. I am surprised they apparently don't. No matter what, I hope that you that you find support you need - for your own welfare - so you can get back driving with confidence.

 

[the sniper]

@The Sniper...to my knowledge its rare that a driver is named, but due to the circumstances of the suicide, mainly the age of the lad, it received a lot of press coverage locally, and was mentioned in a few national tabloids along with my name and parts of my police statement which the reporter chose to jumble around and rewrite. After speaking to the reporter responsible, I was informed that anything released at the coroners inquest was public information, and no mention had been made by the coroner to with hold my name. As a consequence, I now feel a lot of anger towards the situation, but I have been speaking with victim support this evening, and hopefully they will be able to point me in the right direction of the help i need.....fingers crossed x

Though it is true that it's publicly available information, I wonder whether you have any kind of case to take to the Press Complaints Commission, as it seems to me to be a deeply unreasonable occurrence?

Hope you recover well in time mate. I can appreciate that it must be made even harder to deal with when you'll have colleagues that are just able to brush off suicides. They effect people very differently.