Facebook Rolls Out Its New Tools to Help Prevent Suicides

Since 2011, Facebook has been playing a role in curbing suicidal risk among its billion users. Previously, concerned friends who would like to use the feature would have to upload a link to Facebook to ask for help. To improve its tools, Facebook has pledged that they will boost new efforts to make it easier for friends and relative to show their concern by teaming up with mental health organizations such as Forefront, Now Matters Now, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Save.org.

This week, the feature will be rolling out in the US and will complete the roll out within the next couple of months in other parts of the world. The feature has a new option inside post that allows other users to flag a friend or a love one that they suspect to be within suicidal risk.

The concerned party can then click on a little arrow provide (at the top right of the status) and then click on “Report Post”. According to a Facebook post written by Product Manager Rob Boyle and Safety Specialist Nicole Staubli, a trained team will then review if the report are indeed suicidal and if necessary will offer option to contact the person directly, afterward enlist the help of another friend or put them in contact with suicide helpline such as National Suicide Prevention Lifeline hotline.

Facebook has been clear that the update is not a replacement for local emergency services.

Source: ubergizmo.com