Disclaimer: This article mentions issues around mental health and suicide. Reader discretion is advised.
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TasRail and mental health organisation Speak Up! Stay ChatTY have partnered up to get the conversation on mental health moving full steam ahead.
The collaboration has resulted in the newly wrapped "Conversation Train" which sports the Stay ChatTY logo to encourage conversation about mental health.
April 29 is Rail R U OK? Day, TasRail chief executive Steven Dietrich said that mental health was a priority for TasRail and one close to their heart.
"Particularly on the mainland and here in Tasmania, the constant awareness around suicide, safety around our tracks and mental health is a critical issue and our workers are directly impacted when they see these circumstances," he said
"It would be the biggest mobile operating billboard promoting mental health awareness throughout the community.
"If we can make a difference to one person's life, who sees this message then we've achieved our objective."
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The train will transit the entire state including Burnie, Devonport, Launceston, Hobart and as far as Bell Bay as it raises awareness about mental health and speaking up if you need help.
TasRail safety advisor Corrie Shipton said TasRail was moved to partner with Speak Up! Stay ChatTY after Mr McPherson's presentation to their employees proved powerful.
"We had a few of our employees attend Mitch's webinar ... and they were so emotionally moved by his message they wanted to share it with all of their work mates," she said.
"You could hear a pin drop in the room after Mitch spoke and we've never seen our workers so quiet, it was incredible the conversations that ensued from there.
"If we can make the difference to one person, encourage one conversation with a family member or a friend or a teammate who doesn't seem themselves then all of this has been worth it."
Stay ChatTY founder Mitch McPherson said he was proud to partner with TasRail to try and create action on one of the biggest issues in modern day society.
"Anyone can talk about it and if you go the next step and do something, and I believed lived experience is important ... this step today is a big step today is another big and we're super proud," he said.
"There's lots of ways you can check in, for a lot of people it's a daunting thing to do ... one of our key messages is that listening to saves lives, ask the question and just listen to what that person has to say and encourage them to get action."
The railway industry is the one of only industry that has its own dedicated mental health day and it will be held on April 29.
"There is a considerate focus on it because we have trains running around the country, they are dangerous equipment and they can often be associated with people taking their lives in a traumatic way and the impact that has on the drivers behind the controls," Ms Shipton said.
"[The industry] has put in a lot of time and support to support those people after those events."
For crisis support for you or someone you know, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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