Facebook Launches A Suicide Prevention Feature

Facebook has added a new feature update that aids suicide prevention. The social network has partnered with mental Health Organizations Forefront, Now Matters Lifeline and Save.org to develop the tool.

The updated tool allows users to flag content on both the desktop and mobile version of the social network that they find concerning. If a Facebook friend posts something that indicates he might be thinking of harming himself, users can click on an arrow on the post to report it. Facebook will then offer options to contact the friend contact another friend for support or contact a suicide helpline.

“One of the first things these organizations discussed with us was how much connecting with people who care can help those in distress. We have teams working around the world 24/7, who review any report that comes in. They prioritize the most serious reports, like self injury, and send help and resources to those in distress,” Facebook product Rob Boyle and community operations safety specialist Nicole Staubli said in a Facebook post.

The previous feature used since 2011 by Facebook to report potentially suicidal content required users to upload screenshot or a link of the post to the company’s suicide prevention page. The updated version of the feature integrates the ability to report a post into the post itself.
Boyle and Staubli said if anyone sees a direct threat of suicide on Facebook, they should contact their local emergency services immediately.