Facebook has finally released the update for its suicide prevention tool and has made it available worldwide.
The tool allows you to flag posts from friends that indicate self-harm or suicide. Previously, it was available only for English speakers and the other users could fill up a form t report. However, now, Facebook has made this whole process very simple and fast.
In the announcement, the company that they will have support for all languages that are supported by the social networking platform. According to Facebook’s global head of safety Antigone Davis and researcher Jennifer Guadagno, the tools were “developed in collaboration with mental health organizations and with input from people who have personal experience with self-injury and suicide.”
This tool was first made available to some users in the USA in collaboration with Forefront, Lifeline, and Save.org. The company has now confirmed that it is going to take help from other such organizations around the world.
As soon as the user sees the post, he/she can access a drop down menu that has the contacts of several suicide prevention organization. The user can also send encouraging messages, which are pre-worded by the platform.
According to the Help Center, such posts may also be reviewed by the global community operations team. The team would reach out to the person with information that will be of relevance and helpful to them. However, if the moderator thinks that the person is at the risk of hurting himself immediately, then the company would contact the police.
All over the world the suicide rate is at an increase, so, this initiative by Facebook is definitely going to make an impact in either reduction of this act, or increasing the awareness related to this important issue.
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