The study, ‘Mental Health & Travel’ was published by University College London’s centre for transport studies and is based on an online survey of 385 people with conditions including anxiety, depression and memory loss.

Other recommendations include train companies providing those with difficulties a better means of contacting on board staff, such as by mobile phone, and the introduction of ‘panic buttons’ so that contact can be made with a person trained to understand mental health issues.

The report also calls for public authorities to create publicity campaigns to make the public more aware of the needs and behaviours of people with mental health conditions. It adds that introducing lanyards to people with non visible disabilities could help transport staff to identify more easily persons who may need assistance.

It is also said that train companies should allow people with mental health conditions who are unable to buy rail tickets in advance to be allowed to purchase tickets on the day of travel at the discounted price, or be able to postpone their journey to another day.
It is thought that one in four adults in England have been diagnosed with at least one mental illness and many more could have an illness that is undiagnosed.

Report author Professor Roger Mackett FCIHT said he hopes the report will raise the debate around mental health issues and travel, and that the public can become more aware of the difficulties that some other travellers go through.

To read the full report, click here. 

(Photograph: CGP Grey and licenced for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence)