Facebook Launches Suicide Prevention Guide for Youth
Yesterday Facebook Canada, along with Kids Help Phone and TSN personality Michael Landsberg, introduced Help A Friend in Need, a new resource that provides simple, practical tips to help youth ages 15-20 identify potential warning signs in online behavior that might indicate a friend is thinking of suicide.
So far in 2014, 7.5 per cent of young people who have contacted Kids Help Phone have spoken about suicide as the primary reason they reach out, representing thousands of kids from every part of Canada.
In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day, the Help A Friend in Need guide will be distributed nationally in both English and French through the Facebook Family Safety Centre and Kids Help Phone website.
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Jordan Banks, Managing Director Facebook Canada, sharing on the launch, “We created Help A Friend In Need with Kids Help Phone, because we want to make sure that friends and family have the resources to help identify when someone is distressed and know what steps to take, particularly in extreme cases where someone’s life might be in danger. Studies have shown that connectedness is crucial to people who may be at risk of suicide – reaching out and offering people support can be a life-saving act.”
You can view the guide here.
