The suicide prevention number handles around 25,000 calls in the last five years
For World Suicide Prevention Day, on 10 September, a balance is made of this service, which operates around the clock every day of the year. New action is also being announced to prevent suicides on the metro network and people are reminded of the municipal services available.
Façade of the City Hall lit up for Suicide Prevention Day. Author: Lucas Amillano
900 925 555: suicide prevention phone number
A team of selected and trained volunteers handle calls relating to suicidal ideas or conduct. The service is coordinated and supervised by a psychology group and a committee of experts. Since it was set up in August 2020, Barcelona’s suicide prevention line has handled 24,800 calls, 300 of them relating to imminent or ongoing suicides.
Support points for friends and relatives
Support points attend to relatives, friends and workmates of people at risk of suicide, as well as those who have lost somebody through suicide.
World Suicide Prevention Day is on 10 September, a day to put suicide in the spotlight and remember the municipal service available in this sphere.
Preventive action on the metro
According to data gathered internally by TMB, the last five years have seen 91 suicide attempts and 31 suicides on the metro.
Two types of posters will be displayed in metro stations in September, firstly aimed at anybody accessing platforms with suicidal intentions, and secondly at users who witness somebody being run over in a station. The first signs are white and will be located at the end of the platforms, at the point where trains enter the station. The goal is to dissuade anybody considering suicide. The posters will have the slogan: “If you’re in a difficult situation, stop and call”, together with the Barcelona suicide prevention number, 900 925 555, and the 061 number (Salut Respon).
Blue signs will be displayed in station foyers and are aimed at anybody who witnesses somebody being run over. These signs bear the message; “Witnessed somebody run over? If it has had an emotional impact on you and you need help, call”, and include the 061 number and the number for the CUESB (Barcelona Urgent Care and Social Emergency Centre), 900 703 030.
The stations selected for the signage are: Bellvitge, Santa Eulàlia and Espanya (L1); Passeig de Gràcia and Clot (L2); Maria Cristina and Montbau (L3); Guinardó / Hospital de Sant Pau and Verdaguer (L4), and Hospital Clínic and Verdaguer (L5).
This TMB initiative involves the collaboration of the Councillor’s Office for Health at Barcelona City Council, the Barcelona Urgent Care and Social Emergency Centre (CUESB), the Ministry for Health at the Government of Catalonia, the Association of Psychologists of Catalonia and the Fundació Ajuda i Esperança.
