‘Want To Talk?’: Facebook’s New Feature Has A Very Important Message Behind It

Often we tend to share more on social media than we ever would face-to-face. Be it good news or bad, many people feel safer communicating from behind a screen rather than engaging with someone in person.

That’s the basis of Facebook’s newest update, Suicide Prevention Tools. The feature, developed with the support of Samaritans Ireland, launched today ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th.

The aim is to provide a “safe space” where people who may be experiencing mental health issues or are finding it hard to cope can find advice, and where their friends and family can find resources to help them.

How the Suicide Prevention Tools work:

– If you see a post that seems like a “direct threat of suicide,” you can flag it with Facebook. You’ll be asked to contact your local authorities or emergency services right away, and you’ll also be given the option to message the poster, advice on how to talk to them, and the option to ask Facebook to review the post.

– Teams working around the world, 24/7, review any posts of concern that are highlighted. They are prioritised and help options and resources are sent to those suspected of being in distress.

– The poster will be encouraged to talk to a friend, as well as being given some tips and resources and contact information for suicide prevention and crisis counselling helplines like Samaritans.

All posts reported will be confidential, and the original poster will not know the identity of the person who reported their post.

Need to talk, or seeking advice about a loved one who’s finding it hard to cope? Contact…

• Samaritans: 116 123 // jo@samaritans.org
• National Suicide Helpline: 1800 247 247
• Aware: 1800 80 48 48
• Childline: 1800 66 66 66 (under 18s)

• Facebook
• suicide
• world suicide prevention day