SAMARITANS LAUNCH FACEBOOK CAMPAIGN TO COMBAT SUICIDE
Since Social Networking has taken over our lives (don’t lie, we know you have a Facebook page too!), it has been put to many uses: to advertise, procrastinate or simply stay in touch with friends. However, the Samaritans are putting Facebook into use in a different way. Since the latest chemical suicides and the suicide of Simone Black, the Samaritans have teamed up with Facebook generating a new scheme allowing the 30million people on Facebook to get help for a friend they feel is struggling or feeling suicidal. Sandra Forrester, director of Samaritans’ Northampton branch and part of the team responding to Facebook referrals, said: “It is a brilliant idea that we team up with Facebook as it is another way for vulnerable people to now that we are here to support them, and they aren’t alone”. The way that the scheme will work is that if someone sees a friend’s distressing status or wall post, they can alert Facebook, the networking site will then report them to the Samaritans who will offer help. Facebook’s Director of Policy for Europe, Richard Allan, says: “We’re pleased to welcome the expertise of a great partner in Samaritans. They will help to make our robust reporting system even more effective, as friends are encouraged to look out for one another one Facebook as they do in the real world. This supplements the number of ways to get help already available on Facebook, from our Help Centre to the reporting tools we offer”. The scheme will be piggybacked by the awareness campaign, which will be simultaneously launched, giving advice on how to spot signs of suicidal behaviour and distressed friends.
More info at www.samaritans.org
Words: Michaela Howe
