Facebook has linked up with UK charityThe Samaritansto offer counseling to users who are contemplating suicide.
From today, reportsThe Guardian, anyone worried that a posting by a friend might indicate suicidal thoughts can report the incident to put the person concerned in touch with a Samaritans counselor.
Users are being asked to visit Facebook’s Help pages to report any worrying behaviour, although at presentthe report formis hidden behind a number of layers of menus. With The Samaritans covering only the UK and Ireland, we’ve contacted Facebook to clarify if the arrangement only relates to users in those countries. (Update: see below)
With Facebook being an important part of many people’s lives now, safety on the network has become an increasingly discussed issue in the mainstream media. Last year the companyrelaunched its Safety Centreand partnered with the UK’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre to launchan appthat proved successfulboostingreports of suspicious behaviour.
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UPDATE:Facebook informs us that the UK and Ireland arrangement with The Samaritans is in addition to existing relationships with similar organisations with the USA and Norway. A spokesperson said: “As Facebook continues to internationalise the site we will be working hard to build relationships with similar organisations around the world.”
Story byMartin SFP Bryant
Martin SFP Bryant is the founder of UK startup newsletter PreSeed Now and technology and media consultancy Big Revolution. He was previously(show all)Martin SFP Bryant is the founder of UK startup newsletterPreSeed Nowand technology and media consultancyBig Revolution. He was previously Editor-in-Chief at TNW.
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