Safety and security
Learn more on how Sound Transit works to keep you safe and where to report issues when they arise.

Suicide prevention

Trespassing and suicide events are the leading causes of transit-related fatalities.1

This webpage contains resources on how to help someone who is thinking about suicide. It includes crisis hotlines for 24-hour support, and toolkits for individuals interested in preventing suicide. It also contains information about the Suicide Prevention Operational Task Force (SPOT), developed to support at-risk community members.

  • Welcome conversation: ask directly, “Are you thinking about suicide?”
  • Actively listen: Be present and validate their feelings. Say “I’m sorry you’re feeling guilty,” not “Don’t feel guilty.”
  • Verify safety: Ask “Do you have a plan to end your life?” Remove dangerous items.
  • Engage help: Connect them to crisis services, like calling/texting 988.
  • Stay connected: Set reminders to regularly reach out in the days and weeks ahead.

24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress:

Crisis Connections

988

Sound Transit’s Suicide Prevention Operational Task Force is committed to reducing the incidence of suicide by:

  • Increasing awareness of suicide risk,
  • Promoting mental health, and
  • Empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources needed to support themselves and others.

If you’d like to collaborate with SPOT on this mission, please reach out to Matt Mitchell (matthew.mitchell@soundtransit.org) or Savana King (savana.king@soundtransit.org).

1. Federal Transit Administration (2025). Reducing Rail Trespassing and Suicide Events (Safety Advisory 25-1 (SA 25-1)). U.S. Department of Transportation.