Facebook Releases New Suicide Prevention Tools
Facebook is updating the tools and resources the company offers to people who may be thinking of suicide, as well as the support offered to their concerned friends and family members.
Facebook said Wednesday that it's in a "unique position," through personal connections people have on Facebook, to help connect those in distress with people who can support them.
People watching a Facebook Live broadcast will be able to report the video for an escalated response from Facebook. Facebook can reach out to emergency workers if the person is in imminent danger. Separately, the person filming will also be shown a set of resources pop up on their phone screen, so they can contact a friend or a help line.
The company is also streamlining the process to report posts about suicide or self-injury. And someone feeling depressed will have easier ways to contact crisis workers through Messenger.
Suicide prevention tools have been available on Facebook for more than 10 years and were developed in collaboration with mental health organizations such as Save.org, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Forefront and Crisis Text Line, and with input from people who have personal experience thinking about or attempting suicide.