Search icon

News

20th Feb 2016

Facebook Are Introducing A New Suicide Prevention Tool

It will be rolled out following successful trials in the US and Australia

Ellen Tannam

Facebook has created a series of tools for users to notify the company if they see a Facebook friend exhibiting worrying behaviour on the site.

Wired UK report that the tools have been built with the help of Samaritans and will allow users to do a number of things.

You will be able to report worrying content, and the user who posted it will then be sent a notification asking them if they need help from a friend or a confidential phone or chat service, and will be given tips on how to deal with suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm.

Explicit threats of suicide reported will result in being given the number for the emergency services.

Head of Safety at Facebook, Julie De Baillencourt said:”We worked with organisations including Samaritans to develop these tools, and one of the first things they told us was how much connecting with people who care can help those who are struggling to cope – whether offline or online.