A great step taken by Facebook!

Facebook to the Rescue

The world-renowned social networking site, Facebook introduces tools and resources on its site for Indian users to combat suicidal thoughts. In India, suicide news is a very common. Since Facebook has reached and influenced the Indian masses, it is a great medium to deliver your message. People who are experiencing suicidal thoughts can benefit from the new tools and educational resources launched by Facebook. These tools already exist in US, Australia, New Zealand and UK.

First launched in the US with the help of Forefront, Lifeline and Save.org, the tools are developed in association with mental health organizations. Moreover, Facebook also consider inputs from people who have already experienced self-injury and suicide attempt.

Reportedly, Facebook is partnering with AASRA and The Live Love Laugh Foundation in India.

How does it work?

If someone posts something negative related to suicide or self-injury on Facebook that makes a user concerned about the person’s well-being, he/she can easily reach out to the person directly as well as report the post to the US headquarters that works round the clock to send help and resources.

Many times, friends and family who are concerned but they fail to understand what to do. Facebook is not only to connect and share but also to care for the people you know. It is the highest-used social networking platform that has 148 million users in India. The victims of suicidal thoughts will then be encouraged to connect to the AASRA India helpline or the Live Love Laugh Foundation or a friend or seek self-help advice from resources and tips provided on how they can work through these feelings. Facebook has also introduced Help a Friend in Need guide to help people identify when someone is distressed and what help to be given.

The guide offers recommendations on how to approach the friend, what to say, how to react and what to avoid. It gives people the skills to reach out without fear of making the situation worse. The guide will be available in multiple languages like English, Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Sinhalese, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and Marathi.

Takeaways:-

• People who are experiencing suicidal thoughts can benefit from the new tools and educational resources launched by Facebook.
• The victims of suicidal thoughts will be encouraged to connect to the AASRA India helpline or the Live Love Laugh Foundation or a friend or seek self-help advice from resources and tips provided on how they can work through these feelings.
• Facebook has also introduced Help a Friend in Need guide to help people identify when someone is distressed and what help to be given.