Yesterday’s incident at the Metro Center involving a person being struck and killed by an Orange Line train has highlighted two unconnected, but important issues. First, suicide and second, WMATA’s continuing communication problems.

On the first topic, when we heard of the news of someone stuck underneath a train, our instant thought was suicide, a jumper who took that unfortunate and sad step off the platform. (But the incident is an “apparent” suicide, just to be clear.)

According to the Post:

At 2:06 p.m., the man appeared to be either kneeling or sitting on the track bed between the rails as a six-car Orange Line train bound for New Carrollton pulled into the station …

Although it would make sense that with Christmas just a few days away that suicides would be on the rise, but that is just a myth. From Dr. John McIntosh of WebMD:

Well, it is a real phenomenon, but not necessarily the way that most people imagine. There are some individuals who actually do experience seasonality in their depression. But winter is not the most common time for most. The most common time is more often spring or summer.

Regardless of what time of year it is, there are a number of suicide hotlines and resources available in the area.

Now to WMATA’s recurring communications issues …