Facebook has just announced that it has launched new products to offer increased support suicide prevention and self-harm.
In a statement released by Facebook, the company said “we’re updating the resources we offer to people around the world who may be experiencing self-injury or suicidal thoughts, as well as the support we offer to their concerned friends and family members.”
The products are developed in collaboration with mental health organizations and with the input from people who have personal experience with self-injury and suicide. As a start, Facebook tested the product in the US in partnership with suicide prevention organisations such as Forefront, Lifeline, and Save.org.
The product is now available around the world in collaboration with local partners and in all languages Facebook is available in.
“Now, with the help of these new tools, if someone posts something on Facebook that makes you concerned about their well-being, you can reach out to them directly — and you also can also report the post to us. We have teams working around the world, 24/7, who review reports that come in. They prioritize the most serious reports like self-injury“.
The statement said “And, as of today, the resources we send to the person who posted something concerning will include an expanded set of options. People can now choose to reach out to a friend, contact a helpline, or see tips.”
Facebook might be taking this bold step to not only assist its users but help prevent negative image that might arise from the fact that distressed persons might have given clues to the public that could have saved their lives should products like this exist on Facebook. Anyone can now people report messages and posts that signal suicide and self-harm to relevant authorities who can help out.
