NJ TRANSIT has launched a new initiative to mark National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month this September. The transit agency unveiled two special bus wraps designed to draw attention to the national suicide crisis and provide resources for veterans and others who may be contemplating suicide.
The bus wraps, commissioned by Military to Mobility (M2M), NJ TRANSIT's new Military Company Employee Resource Group (CERG), were revealed during a ceremony outside Newark Penn Station. The wraps prominently display the Suicide Prevention Hotline. These buses began operating earlier in September, with one serving north Jersey and the other south Jersey. The M2M CERG chose to commission these wraps as a show of support for colleagues and fellow veterans struggling with their military experiences.
"We have come a long way in the U.S. in reducing the stigma of mental health, including among our veterans. But any death by suicide is one too many," said New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman Fran O’Connor. "I am proud of NJ TRANSIT’s campaign to increase the visibility of mental health challenges and support for suicide prevention, for our customers, our brave veterans, and our employees. Help is available."
"NJ TRANSIT is honored to support National Suicide Prevention Month, highlighting critical resources that can save lives, particularly for veterans who face unique challenges," said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett. "Through this initiative, we reaffirm our commitment to the well-being of our customers, employees, and the broader community."
The bus wraps include information about the national toll-free hotline: Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
NJ TRANSIT operates as the nation's largest statewide public transportation system, providing over 925,000 weekday trips on 263 bus routes, three light rail lines, twelve commuter rail lines, and through Access Link paratransit service. It ranks as the third-largest transit system in the country with 166 rail stations, 62 light rail stations, and more than 19,000 bus stops connecting major points in New Jersey, New York City, and Philadelphia.
