The tools will help users reach out to those in distress and also report them to Facebook, who will then offer help and resources to the one in need
Facebook has introduced its suicide prevention tools in India. The tools are aimed at people who may be inflicting self-injuries or may be experiencing suicidal thoughts. With this feature, a users can directly reach out to someone who posted something that gives the user a reason to be concerned about their well-being. Further, users can also report the person to Facebook, who will then send help and resources to those in need. The resources sent to the person in distress include a list of options such as reaching out to a friend, contacting a helpline, or seeing some tips on how they can work through these feelings.
Facebook says that the feature is developed in collaboration with mental health organisations, and with those who have personal experience with self-injury and suicide. The tools were first launched in the US and are being rolled out in in India in collaboration with AASRA and The Live Love Laugh Foundation in English and Hindi. Those vulnerable will be encouraged to contact these two organisations. The company says that these resources were created in conjunction with its clinical and academic partners.
Ankhi Das, Public Policy Director. Facebook India, South & Central Asia, said, “Facebook is a place where people connect and share, and one of the things we have learnt from the mental health partners and academics we have worked with on this issue, is that being connected is a protective factor in suicide prevention. We care deeply about the safety and well-being of the 148 million people in India who use Facebook to connect with the people who matter to them and recognise there's an opportunity with these tools and resources to connect someone who is struggling with a person they already have a relationship with.”
In addition to this, Facebook introduced a Help A Friend in Need guide in India. The guide aims to help people identify when someone is distressed and the steps they can take. It also offers suggestions on how to approach their friend such as what to say, how to react and what to avoid. The guide is can be read here, and is available in English, Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Sinhalese, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and Marathi.
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