As an important place where people vent, reach out and generally interact with one another, Facebook has acknowledged that they have an important role to play when people are having suicidal thoughts. 

That's why their latest update, (which will first be rolled out to users in the United States and will later appear in other territories) is aimed at helping those who are having suicidal thoughts or considering self harm. 

According to a blog post, the company has worked with a number of mental health organizations in the US to develop the tool, including "Forefront, Now Matters Now, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Save.org and others on these updates, in addition to consulting with people who had lived experience with self-injury or suicide."

The feedback from those groups and individuals was that being able to connect people with someone who cares will help someone who's in distress, and that is what's behind the move. It will allow people to report a post that they feel might be from someone who is having suicidal thoughts, and when the person next logs on to Facebook, they will be shown a message encouraging them to get in touch with the National Suicide prevention Lifeline as well as being given "the option of reaching out to a friend, and provide tips and advice on how they can work through these feelings". 

 

As for the person who reports the post, they will be given the option of reaching out to the person either by phone or by message, as well as being given access to the suicide prevention line themselves to get some advice on how to talk to their friend about what they're going through. 

The delay in rolling it out to other regions will more than likely come from working together with the right groups in the right countries, but as was pointed out in a comment underneath Facebook's announcement, if this manages to save even one person then it's well worth it. 

If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time and needs someone to talk to, you can contact Pieta House here in Ireland or The Samaritans, or head to the National Office of Suicide Prevention for more information. 

Via The Verge