Facebook: Do you need to talk to someone?

Social media has given a voice to many who may find they cannot express theirs, under certain rules, circumstances or fear of repercussions.

These days the stigma of mental illness or suicide is slowly breaking down, where more people have begun to open up and talk about their experiences.

Specifically to open up online via, vlogs, blog or a Facebook post. Many societies  have been creating support pages on websites like Facebook to band together with those who are in the same boat and to discuss their shared experiences..
 
Connecting them to a community where one doesn’t feel so alone with what they must deal with.
Having a problem, especially when its effects ones mentality can be hard to discuss. The first step is admitting that you need help and for some, talking face to face about their problems can be challenging.

In a world where we are all connected to many resources 24/7, where a splinter of our lives is shared to the masses. where can you go when a problem occurs and you need to find right resources to get the help you may need?

In this blog I will discuss Facebook's new help feature, that offers services and support for suicide and self-harm and also prevention guidelines . Facebook is the  first website of its kind to offer a  "how to"  service that can help its users who are reaching a  crisis point in their lives.  I will also discuss what exactly this feature is and how can you use it to save yourself or someone else’s life.

In September of 2016 Facebook had launched with the Samaritans or Lifeline in the USA a feature in its help centre to help support and give advice to those who have seen any alarming posts or behaviour on Facebook in relation to self-harm or suicide , and it also offers help and support to the victims of this heart-breaking problem.

This was created with the hopes of helping lower the suicide and self-harm rates from its Facebook members, It relies on other members to help flag to Facebook's attention alarming posts from  friends family and other Facebook members that deem to be self destructive in nature , and quickly offers tips on what to do and to help support the person in need before it’s too late

Here is how it works :(The Mighty, 2016)

The Samaritans  director Deirdre Toner who teamed up with Facebook Ireland on this new feature states that :“This tool offers an opportunity for friends and Facebook to reach out to people who may be struggling and signpost them towards sources of support that they may not have otherwise considered, such as Samaritans" (Darcy, Irish Times, 2016)

Below is a video of the service available :

 It is plausible to say that social media has had a serious effect on life as we know it (cyber bullying a prime example), But when it comes to saving a life or helping a person, more social media sites should take a leaf from Facebook, step up and understand its users are still vulnerable people who also have days where they need little help and support but, may not know how find the help they need.

If you or anyone you know has been affected by the issues raised in this post, please use the information given in this blog or contact Samaritans on (Freephone) 116 123

Until Next Time Friends

Stay Mindful, Stay Caring,

Stay Social Media Minded xx

Sources:
The Mighty: Facebook and suicide prevention https://themighty.com/2016/04/facebook-creates-new-suicide-prevention-support-tool/

Video:

From Reporting to Supporting: Using Facebook to Support Someone in Suicidal Crisis:https://vimeo.com/160565004

Facebook  Suicide Prevention:  https://www.facebook.com/help/suicideprevention

 Irish Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/facebook-launches-new-tools-to-help-prevent-suicide-1.2780238