Unfortunately, trains are a popular place for folks to end their lives and we are not doing enough to prevent that. And it turns out that Chicago area has a
higher rate of suicides by train than other places in the U.S. I live in Chicago and that's why I think Chicago should make a simple, proven change to help curb this issue.
Sign my petition if you want Metra and CTA to install calming blue lights in all their train stations to help curb suicides. Following the lead of Japan, where they have been able to lower their rates of suicide by train by
84% just by installing blue lights, it's time for Chicago to follow suit. Of course erecting more barriers and listing hotlines can help, but barriers are expensive and not all stations' infrastructure lends itself to that and hotlines are not really enough.
So the cheapest and simplest way to help travelers feel calmer and therefore less likely to take their own lives is to install these blue lights at stations.
The CDC has just released a report showing that suicide rates are up in every single state in the U.S. Installing blue lights will not address the crisis of inadequate access to mental health care or income inequality or racism or sexism or any of the other deeply heavy societal issues that may be adding to the increase of suicide rates. But it is one step we can take as a society to support one another. Why not try it out?
Please sign my petition to ask CTA and Metra to make this shift right away. 