Facebook Suicide Prevention – Social Media Site Launches New Feature
Facebook released a new feature last week for suicide prevention. The tool allows users to alert Facebook and flag content, particularly about distressing behavior or contemplated suicide on the social media site. Users themselves are able to click on the arrow on the post to report it. From there, Facebook will privately contact that individual and invite them to speak with a helpline or contact a friend.
Facebook collaborated with many mental health foundations in order for this initiative to take effect. Some of those included SAVE, The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and Forefront: Innovations in Suicide Prevention, which is a nonprofit organization from the University of Washington’s School of Social Work.
If the person who Facebook is reaching out to chooses to speak with someone, they will be encouraged to call a friend or helpline, or send a Facebook friend a message. Facebook is also providing users with videos of true stories from people who have handed suicidal thoughts in the past. They will be offered tips and support in order to deal with their issues.
Since 2011, Facebook has had a way for users to report suicidal content, but this updated tool is assembled directly into posts. Previously, you had to go through the trouble of uploading a screenshot or URL of the original, concerning post. The new service will be rolling out in the U.S. over the next few months, and similar actions are in progress for other countries. We truly hope this new feature can help save lives.
