SEPTA Suicide-Prevention Signs Give New Lifeline For Those In Need

Of the dozens of suicide prevention hotline signs posted at SEPTA stations throughout the Philadelphia area, officials agree they would be more than happy if just one life was saved.

The transit agency, along with local officials, gathered at the Langhorne Train Station Thursday to unveil new signs that display a hotline number for those in need. The signs installed at the Langhorne station are the last to be installed as part of the system-wide program.

“SEPTA is giving people one new lifeline,” said Bucks County Commissioner Diane Marseglia, who lost her daughter Becky to suicide 10 years ago.

State Rep. Frank Farry, who is also chief of the Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company, said the sign is a starting point for those who need help. He noted the suicide of a high school student on the tracks a year few years ago not too far from the Langhorne station.

The signs give the number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The effort is also tied in with the work done by the Family Service Association of Bucks County, officials said.

Pat Lufkin lost her son, a 31-year-old military veteran, to suicide 25 years ago and has since worked with Survivors of Suicide to help others. She said she thinks the signs will “absolutely” help some people who are thinking of killing themselves.

“Even if people aren’t considering train as a method of death, they will see the sign and can call with their cellphone,” said Northampton resident Beverly Schaefer, who has lost three close family members to suicide in three years.

SEPTA began to roll out the signs in September across it’s regional rail, subway and trolley stations in the region.

SEPTA Chief Safety Officer Scott Sauer said the transit agency sees a handful of deaths on its tracks every year and about half of them are ruled suicides.

“We hope the sign will increase awareness on this very important issue and spur conversation among SEPTA’s customers, friends and neighbors.”