ScotRail Promotes Mental Health Support Across Network During Awareness Week

ScotRail is using Mental Health Awareness Week to encourage both passengers and employees to prioritise wellbeing and speak openly about mental health, with messages being shared across stations throughout Scotland reminding people that it is “OK to talk”.

Throughout the campaign, station announcements and digital customer information screens across the ScotRail network have been used to raise awareness and encourage conversations around mental health support.

The initiative forms part of ScotRail’s wider wellbeing strategy, which focuses on creating a more supportive and inclusive environment for colleagues and customers alike.

Focus on Workplace Wellbeing

Supporting mental health remains a key priority within ScotRail’s Public Sector Equality Duty commitments, with the operator aiming to foster a workplace culture that promotes both physical and mental wellbeing through awareness campaigns, targeted support services and improved access to resources.

As part of this commitment, ScotRail provides all employees with access to a confidential 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme offering guidance and support on issues including emotional wellbeing, mental health, bereavement, relationships and financial concerns.

The operator has also established a network of around 130 trained Mental Health First Aiders across the business, providing peer-to-peer support and helping colleagues access additional professional assistance where needed.

ScotRail confirmed plans are already in place to expand the Mental Health First Aider programme later this year as part of ongoing efforts to normalise discussions around mental health and make support more visible throughout the organisation.

Partnership With Mental Health Charities

Alongside internal wellbeing initiatives, ScotRail continues to work closely with mental health organisations to provide further support for both employees and customers.

This includes partnerships with charities such as the Samaritans and AndysManClub (AMC), helping signpost people towards specialist advice and support services.

ScotRail first began working with AndysManClub in 2022, with the collaboration becoming the company’s first formal wellbeing partnership in 2024. The partnership has since been extended through to 2029.

Since the partnership launched, AMC has supported ScotRail through mental health presentations, suicide prevention workshops and wellbeing roadshows delivered across the country.

“OK to Talk”

Jill Loftus, ScotRail’s Head of Wellbeing, Equity & Engagement, said the awareness campaign reflects the operator’s broader commitment to supporting the communities it serves.

“ScotRail helps to connect people and communities, and we know that supporting mental health is an important part of creating a safe and inclusive environment for both our customers and colleagues,” she said.

“This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’ve been encouraging people across Scotland to take action to support good mental health and to remember that it is ‘OK to talk’.

“This work is part of our wider commitment to ensuring colleagues have access to the support they need to thrive at work, while also helping raise awareness of the support available more broadly across the communities we serve.”

The campaign comes as organisations across the transport sector continue placing increasing emphasis on mental health awareness, employee wellbeing and early intervention support across frontline industries.