Instagram Launches Suicide Prevention Tool

Instagram rolled out an update that introduces a new tool aimed to prevent suicide by providing a means for followers to reach out to users who appear to be troubled based on their posts.

Aside from being a source of information and entertainment, the social media provides people with an avenue to express themselves to the world. It provides a means for them to share their happiness and success as well as messages or statuses that reveal what they truly feel.

Instagram, a photo sharing social media platform, has become one of the most used avenues for people to share images that showcase their life or how they feel at that very moment.

But aside from the good things we see in the platform, Instagram has also become one of the most popular social media used to leave hints about suicidal tendencies and severe depression that can push someone to take his own life.

In fact, there had been several cases where Instagram users, both regular people and celebrities like professional boxer Adrien Broner, leave suicide notes in the social media platform, reports inquisitr.com.

Broner recently shared cryptic photos that may have been clues about his suicide attempt. Fears for his safety escalated after he posted a photo of a gun with a disturbingly peaceful caption. For over an hour since the photo was posted, no one was able to verify Broner’s safety until his fiancée was finally able to find him, safe and sound.

Because of instances like this, Instagram decided to introduce a new tool to help prevent suicide by providing a means for support for the social media users.

Instagram Chief Operating Officer Marne Levine explained how they came up with the social media tool that not only allows other users to reach out to those who appear to be troubled, but also to detect whether a user is in a dark place.

“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’s suicide prevention tool works to provide easy access to help and support for users who show signs of suicidal tendencies or any other form of self-harm. According to Levine, they talked to experts about mental health and learned that people who are under a lot of stress may have more chance of coping with whatever they are going through if loved ones reach out to them.

“We listen to mental health experts when they tell us that outreach from a loved one can make a real difference for those who may be in distress. At the same time, we understand friends and family often want to offer support but don’t know how best to reach out.”

Aside from Instagram, working behind the new tool are organizations that provide help for troubled people including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and National Eating Disorders Association.