Facebook Creates Suicide Prevention Tool That Allows Users To Reach Out To Loved Ones In Need

Think Progress (3/2, Collins) reports that “Facebook wants to capitalize on the confessional nature of its platform” and plans to unveil a “new suicide prevention tool — which it created in partnership with a few mental health organizations — that allows users to reach out to their troubled loved ones virtually and connect them with online resources after spotting the first sign of trouble.” Lisa Horowitz, PhD, MPH, a “staff scientist and pediatric psychologist at the National Institute of Mental Health, praised Facebook’s latest strategy to meet troubled youngsters on a medium they use often, saying that the suicide prevention app enables friends and family members to step in immediately.”

Related Links:

— “Will Facebook’s Efforts Actually Help Prevent Suicide?,” Sam P.K. Collins, Think Progress, March 2, 2015.

Posted in In The News.