NHS Greater Manchester encourages taxi drivers to take 10-minute mental health training session to help save lives
- Perry Richardson
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Taxi and private hire drivers across Greater Manchester are being encouraged to complete a short online training course to help spot signs someone may be struggling with their mental health.
The training is part of the Shining a Light on Suicide campaign, led by NHS Greater Manchester. With over 200 suicides in the region every year, the initiative is aimed at equipping drivers with basic awareness that could help them support someone in need.
Greater Manchester has more than 18,500 licensed drivers who speak to thousands of people every day. Licensing teams and NHS services are working together to promote the free course, which was created by the Zero Suicide Alliance and tailored specifically for the trade.
The 10-minute training covers how to recognise signs of distress, ask direct but supportive questions, and signpost passengers to help. It’s available online and comes with a certificate of completion.
Eccles-based driver Rob Berrisford is backing the campaign. With 20 years in the trade, Rob says it’s the regular conversations with passengers that made the training feel relevant.
Rob drives a Hackney carriage in Salford, mostly during the day. He says building trust with passengers is key: “I’ve built up a base of regulars. A lot of them just want a lift home or someone to talk to. A small chat and a smile can go a long way.”
The training, he says, has helped him feel more prepared. “It’s mostly common sense, but it gives you the confidence to act if something doesn’t feel right. Even just keeping a conversation going can help someone feel seen.”
Rob urges other drivers to take the time. “It only takes ten minutes. You never know when you’ll be in the right place to help.”
The training is free and available at: www.zerosuicidealliance.com/suicide-training-taxi
Dr Manisha Kumar, chief medical officer, NHS Greater Manchester “At NHS Greater Manchester, we're committed to preventing suicide and supporting people’s mental health. A big part of that is working in partnership with others across the city-region, including those outside traditional healthcare roles.
“Taxi and private hire drivers interact with a wide range of people every day in all sorts of circumstances; and this training offers a simple, effective way to help them feel more confident supporting someone who might be struggling. It’s one of many steps we’re taking to make suicide prevention part of everyday life.”
Dr Claire Iveson, consultant clinical psychologist and strategic lead, Zero Suicide Alliance, said: “We know talking about suicide can be difficult, but we believe that the more people who feel equipped and empowered to talk about suicide, the more chance there is for potentially life-saving conversations to happen.
“We launched our suicide awareness training for taxi and private hire drivers after working with various people including drivers with lived experiences to develop the course, and the feedback has been incredibly positive.”
