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Facebook adds new tools for suicide prevention

Facebook adds new tools for suicide prevention

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The update will roll out to US users over the next couple months

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Facebook has added new tools to assist users who express suicidal thoughts. In a blog post, Facebook announced it has worked with mental health organizations including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Now Matters Now to find the proper way to offer assistance through the social network.

If someone posts something that indicates self harm or suicidal thoughts and it is reported to Facebook, they will be encouraged to speak with a mental health expert at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and will be offered tips and support to help work through their issues. Facebook says these methods were created in "conjunction with our clinical and academic partners."

Users will be encouraged to speak with a mental health expert at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Facebook is also offering resources to those who flag the troubling posts, giving them the option to call or message the person and giving them access to the suicide hotline for support. These updates will roll out to US users over the next couple of months, and Facebook says it's working to improve its suicide prevention tools across the globe.

If you need to talk to someone, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.