After updating its suicide prevention tools, Facebook is now making them available for all users around the world.
According to Beta News, Facebook's tools let users flag posts from contacts that may be at risk of suicide or self-harm. The feature has been previously available only in certain regions of the English speaking world, but now the social network will offer them globally.
Tech Crunch reports that Facebook has first launched its suicide prevention tools last year with the help of Save.org, Lifeline and Forefront. The social media network announced that it will continue to partner with mental health and suicide prevention organizations in different countries.
Facebook's suicide prevention tools provide a round-the-clock worldwide team to voice concerns in addition to give users the chance to reach out to those they are concerned about. The updated tools are designed to make this process less complicated and quicker.
Facebook announced in a blog post that now its suicide prevention resources are available in all languages supported by the platform. Antigone Davis, Facebook's global head of safety and researcher Jennifer Guadagno explained that the tools were developed with input from people with personal experience suicide and self-injury.
In case that they are worried about suicide or self-harm, all Facebook users will soon be able to flag a friend's post from a drop-down menu. Users will have several options available to them. For instance, they can share anonymously a list of resources, including numbers for suicide prevention organizations. Another option is to send a message of support for which Facebook is suggesting wording.
According to Facebook's Help Center, the message could also be reviewed by Facebook's global community operations team. They may then offer helpful information to this person. Facebook also warns that police should be contacted in case that someone is at immediate risk of hurting themselves.
The suicide rates are increasing around the world. In many countries, this has become a public health crisis. In this context, Facebook's suicide prevention tools may help raise awareness and save lives.
