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Train worker opens up about his dialogue with a suicidal man after saving six people from death
Toronto rail transport employee saved a man who was attempting suicide.
John Paul Attard - known to his friends as JP - has worked for the Toronto Transport Commission as a collector for more than 23 years, and in that time, he has dissuaded six people from committing suicide.
One of these incidents was captured on video by bystanders, and posted on John Paul Attard's Facebook page.
Attard was on duty at Dundas station in Toronto when a man dropped down on to the tracks. Immediately Attard sent one of his colleagues to cut the power to the rail, and call authorities.
Then he did something so extraordinary that it made him a hero to millions of people.
HE DIDN'T HESITATE TO GET INVOLVED
"Don’t let go, keep on holding onto me. Look me in the eyes, breathe in, breathe out. Calm down".
John Paul Attard, Unilad, September 10, 2018.
Attard had already put into action the protocol, but then he went beyond the call of duty
He went to the man who was in such distress and sitting on the edge of the platform, Attard started talking to him.
He encouraged the man who was lying on the rails to get up and walk towards him. Then Attard put his arms around the man and hugged him.
To speak with someone immediately, contact Samaritans on 116 123. If life is in danger, call 999 or go directly to emergency services.
— Movember UK (@MovemberUK) September 10, 2018
SAVING A LIFE WITH SYMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING
The 23-year-old man was told by Attard that "everything would be alright" and that he would be his friend and mentor.
The man confided in Attard, telling him he wanted to self-harm because he was facing problems in his relationship. Attard calmed the man down and got him to agree to leave the tracks.
Statistics say there's a UK suicide epidemic but the number of people dying by taking their own lives is likely much higher than reported via @UNILAD https://t.co/GFT9HJj06k
— Samaritans (@samaritans) September 13, 2018
THE FRIGHTENING SUICIDE EPIDEMIC
The Toronto Transport Commission has had one hundred and forty-eight suicide attempts since 2010, and the numbers are on the rise.
In the UK, statistics indicate that there is a death by suicide every 90 minutes, and it is estimated that a suicide takes place worlwide every 40 seconds.
Have you been affected by suicide? @SJMcDonn is conducting the biggest study on the emotional impact of suicide in the UK @OfficialUoM and they need your help. Fill out this anonymous survey. The more we know about suicide, the better we can prevent it.https://t.co/xsvtuWlOZt pic.twitter.com/7GKKyt1xNy
— UNILAD (@UNILAD) August 28, 2018
THE NUMBERS TELL A TRAGIC TALE
In England, 1,077 people took their own lives in the first quarter of 2018, and it estimated that 240 people attempt suicide every day.
One of the major triggers for suicide is mental health problems, whoich are often undiagnosed before the suicide attempt.
SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE SAYS HELPLINE INSTITUTION
Ruth Sutherland, CEO of Samaritans explained her view that suicide is not inevitable; it is preventable.
Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide.
Suicide is the principal cause of death for men aged 15 to 44. 75%of all suicides across the world are men and Samaritans is reaching out to try and solve the problem.
Prevention makes it imperative that those at risk be identified and helped, given support and possibly medical assistance for their underlying conditions.
In a related story, Rose McGowan has revealed that celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain sought out professional help before he committed suicide by hanging himself in his hotel room in France.
