Facebook, Samaritans Team Up to Help Curb Suicides
Facebook has teamed up with Samaritans in the UK to launch a scheme that allows users of the social network to get help for a friend they believe to be suicidal.
Those concerned about a friend will be able to seek help using Facebook’s Help Center. Users can “report specific content such as status updates or wall posts” they believe to be indicative of suicidal thoughts or depression, Samaritans said in a statement.
“Through the popularity of Facebook, we are harnessing the power of friendship so people can get help,” Samaritans chief executive Catherine Johnstone said. “As a friend you are better placed to know whether someone close to you is struggling to cope or even feeling suicidal.”
“Facebook is part of daily life for so many of us and we must make sure that people online have support when they need it.”
Reports made to Facebook that are suicide-related will be “escalated to the highest level”, reports the BBC.
[via Samaritans]
Those concerned about a friend will be able to seek help using Facebook’s Help Center. Users can “report specific content such as status updates or wall posts” they believe to be indicative of suicidal thoughts or depression, Samaritans said in a statement.
“Through the popularity of Facebook, we are harnessing the power of friendship so people can get help,” Samaritans chief executive Catherine Johnstone said. “As a friend you are better placed to know whether someone close to you is struggling to cope or even feeling suicidal.”
“Facebook is part of daily life for so many of us and we must make sure that people online have support when they need it.”
Reports made to Facebook that are suicide-related will be “escalated to the highest level”, reports the BBC.
[via Samaritans]
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