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Culture October 20, 2016
These days, it’s hard to find a man or woman (or dog) who doesn’t have a Facebook or Instagram account. In fact, Facebook has over 1.71 billion active users every month, while Instagram hit a record high of 500 million users in July 2016.
Aside from connecting people to create and share content around the world, what else are these businesses up to? These two millennial-created companies are now making big strides to help save lives.
Instagram recently unveiled its new self-help tool that allows users to report instances of suicide and self-harm on the social media platform. While Instagram’s guidelines against self-harm posts are nothing new, the company unveiled a new initiative to help those struggling with difficult times. The user’s followers can anonymously report any community member who could benefit from self-care resources. Instagram’s end goal is to decrease tragic cases of suicide or self-harm within its virtual community, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Earlier this year, Instagram’s parent company Facebook came out with a Suicide Prevention Button that allows users to report an online friend if he or she posts anything hinting at self-harm on the website. Users can submit the friend’s name, his or her profile URL, screenshots of any suspicious behavior and any other information that could be helpful. The new tool also tell users that submit the prevention information to contact law enforcement immediately if they believe the threat is imminent.
Once Facebook has all the info, it provides multiple resources members can use when talking to a friend who seems suicidal. With links to websites like Safe Call Now and The Trevor Project, young people are learning a lot more about suicide, how to prevent it and how to help their friends who are considering hurting themselves or someone else.
Instagram’s new feature is similar to Facebook’s initiative, but the photo-centric app focuses specifically on individual posts rather than an overall profile. Any worried follower simply clicks on any picture with a troubling image, caption or hashtag to bring it to the attention of the company. Instagram will then notify the individual and offer some resources, including speaking with an expert or seeking mental health advice.
“These tools are designed to let you know that you are surrounded by a community that cares about you, at a moment when you might most need that reminder,” Instagram COO Marne Levine said via Seventeen.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide, reach out to your community, either online or in real life. Need a more anonymous approach? Call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK.
