The world's largest social network is trying to use its platform to help intervene and prevent suicidal users from taking their lives.
Facebook has announced the release of new tools that are designed to help friends report worrying behaviour, and to put depressed users in touch with counsellors via Facebook chat.
Facebook has teamed up with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to make the service initially available in the US and Canada.
Friends can use Facebook's reporting system to mark any content as “suicidal” under the “harmful behaviour” option. The social network then follows up by sending the reported user a direct link to a private online chat with a counsellor. They are also provided with a help number.
The friend who reported the worrying online behaviour will remain anonymous.
The development builds on other services released by Facebook to help its users. In March this year, the social network rolled out a number of anti-cyber bullying tools. These included measures to report bullying and prevent tagging of offensive or malicious content.
At risk
According to the International Association for Suicide Prevention, suicide is one of the leading causes of death for people under the age of 25.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) says it has noted an increase in the amount of calls it gets from people seeking help, with the group receiving between 150 and 200 calls a day.
According to Sadag, the highest risk age group is between the ages of 15 and 29, and 9.5% of all teen deaths are due to suicide.
Sadag advises that if one thinks someone has symptoms of depression or bipolar disorder, they should be encouraged to seek help from their doctor, a counsellor or social worker.
Social suicide
Earlier this week, a Facebook status update led police to a murder-suicide in Fort Wayne, in the US. An acquaintance of the killer saw a worrying status update and alerted the police.
Bart Heller's status read: "someone call 911. three dead bodies at 3229 lima road fort wayne indiana. I've killed ryann, erin, and myself. people were warned not to [expletive] play me and ruin me. they didn't listen. sorry about your luck." [sic]
Another story that made headlines earlier this year saw Facebook friends ridiculing the online suicide note of 42-year-old Simone Back. Her final update read: "Took all my pills be dead soon bye bye everyone." [sic]
Some Facebook friends dismissed the update as attention-seeking behaviour, while others called Back a liar. Police later found her dead in her flat.
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