New Service to Help Preclude Suicide Launched by Facebook

Facebook draws on its social-networking expertise in order to help foil suicides in the United States and Canada.

Friends who notice troubled postings are able to set off an alert urging user to contact counselor.

The popular networking site is introducing a new service that will enable users to report a comment posted on Facebook that’s laced with hints of suicide. Users who recognize such postings can do this either by using a special “Report Suicidal Content” link or going through report links found all over the site. Right away, the individual who posted the distraught comment will receive an email from Facebook urging him or her to call the toll-free U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) or to opt for a chat session with a crisis worker.

Both of these alternatives can be accessed 24/7 and offer free, confidential counseling to anybody who’s in need.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – (800) 273-8255

Started in 2005 with financial support from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and administered by Link2Health Solutions, the Lifeline has already answered at least 3 million calls since its launching. Link2Health Solutions is a subsidiary of the Mental Health Association of New York City (MHA-NY).

According to a news release issued by SAMHSA, the Lifeline at present already answers dozens of calls every day from people who have expressed thoughts of suicide on Facebook.

The Lifeline and Facebook have been working together since 2006

In the news release, John Draper, the project director of the Lifeline and vice president of crisis and behavioral health technology at MHA-NYC, said that they have been in partnership with Facebook since 2006 to help users who are at risk and that they are “thrilled to launch this new service.”

In addition, the Associated Press mentioned that this strategy has already helped save lives: For instance, in July, the police was able to help prevent a man from taking his own life after a friend residing in California alerted them to upsetting postings on Facebook.

Draper further said that even though on average, the Lifeline deals with 70,000 calls each month, they have received feedbacks from their Facebook fans and others that there are lots of people going through crisis situations who feel uncomfortable using the phone. “This new service provides a way for them to get the help they need in the way they want it,” Draper added.

The Importance of Suicide Prevention

According to Kelly Posner, director of the Center for Suicide Risk Assessment at Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute, Recognizing people who are at risk “is the cornerstone to suicide prevention.” The innovative services offered by Facebook allow concerned users or so-called friends to get involved right away and start this identification process that helps save lives. “Reaching people through venues that they use and providing them with referrals is an important and encouraging step in the right direction,” Posner added.

Facebook’s chief security officer, Joe Sullivan, said that the company feels “proud” of the latest endeavor. He said that the Lifeline’s commitment to help people from taking their own lives has allowed people on Facebook to get access to immediate, significant help when they need it most, “and we look forward to continuing our work with them to help save lives,” he added.

Also, the launch of the service was praised by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina M. Benjamin. In the news release, she said that commendations are to be given to Facebook and the Lifeline for dealing with “one of this nation’s most tragic public health problems.” Suicide accounts for almost 100 deaths in the United States every day — “36,035 lives every year. For every person who is murdered, two die by suicide. These deaths are even more tragic because they are preventable,” she added.