Facebook launches suicide-prevention endeavors

Facebook launches suicide-prevention endeavors

Averaging over one hour a day, people on Facebook usually share much of their life. People who are a danger to themselves might now be reported by friends and family to the social network. Together with suicide prevention organizations, instant chat help will be provided. Individuals really need this help but don’t always know where to get it. http://www.newsytype.com/

Surge in suicidal shares

Facebook has just added a new feature. All news feeds will use this feature. Sometimes, you see a friend’s status and are worried they are going to do harm to themselves or to others. This is something you are able to “report” to Facebook directly. Then Facebook will send that person a message offering a phone call or chat to get help. Sending this email only happens when the post is documented. This only occurs manually. The billions of posts that are added each day would never be accurately sorted through with an algorithm.

Helping as fast as possible

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline runs the brand new chat-support function that Facebook has.

“The science shows that people experience reductions in suicidal thinking when there is quick intervention,” said Lidia Bernik, associate director of Lifeline. “We’ve heard from many people who say they want to talk to someone but don’t want to call. Instant message is perfect for that.”

The service will be available 24 hours a day, with on-call crisis center workers ready to reply to chat support requests.

A willingness to share

Sharing on Facebook, for many people, comes as naturally as breathing. The HIPAA medical privacy law doesn't apply to Facebook. It is a public forum, technically. Facebook can be used by companies doing a background search on someone. This may be to determine employability. This fact isn’t stopping any person from posting. Individuals are eager to post future plans also as information about their mental state.

Sources

PC Mag: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2397551,00.asp

USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2011-12-13/facebook-suicide-prevention/51867032/1

Today’s THV: http://www.todaysthv.com/news/article/185004/288/Bart-Heller-murder-suicide-discovered-on-Facebooks

NPR: http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/12/13/143652652/facebook-aims-to-prevent-suicides-with-online-help?ps=sh_stcathdl