(If you feel suicidal or know someone in distress, please reach out to them with kindness and call these numbers of local emergency services, helplines, and mental health NGOs)
As the world observes World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, Twitter India, in partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), has launched a dedicated search prompt to provide information and updates from authoritative sources on the subject of ‘suicide prevention.’ This initiative aims to spread awareness and encourage action to prevent suicide and self-harm.
The new prompt is an extension of Twitter’s #ThereIsHelp prompt, which was specifically put in place for the users to locate credible information on critical issues.
“We at NIMHANS are happy to work towards the cause of suicide prevention. We realize that each one of us has a responsibility in ensuring there is increased visibility for authoritative information on this subject, as it has the potential to save lives. This dedicated search prompt will increase our ability to be compassionate towards people around us, and help them in need by letting them know #ThereIsHelp.”Prof. B N Gangadhar, Director, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences
When someone looks up terms related to self-harm or suicide on Twitter, the top search result will offer the new prompt, which will direct the user to relevant information and sources of help available on the social network.
The search prompt #ThereIsHelp will be available on iOS, Android, and on mobile.twitter.com in India, in both English and Hindi languages.
Some of the search terms for the prompt include:
English: #CommitSuicide, #EndLife, #HowtoHangMyself, #Howtohangyourself, #PainlessDeath, #Suicidal, #SuicideAttempt, #SuicideMethods, #SuicideSupport
Hindi: आत्महत्याकरना, दर्दमुक्तमरना, जीवनकाअंतकरो, खुदकोकैसेलटकायाजाए, कैसेअपनेकोलटकाओस्वयं, मैंमरनाचाहताहूँ, दर्दरहितमौत, खुदकुशी, आत्महत्यालेख
The service has also activated a custom emoji in the shape of an orange ribbon - the international symbol for World Suicide Prevention Day.
The emoji will appear when people Tweet with the hashtags #WorldSuicidePreventionDay, #WSPD, #WSPD2020, #SuicidePrevention through September 25 and is activated in 23 languages.
Mahima Kaul, Head of Public Policy, Twitter India said, “As the world grapples with an unprecedented public health crisis, we are committed to ensure that anyone searching for information around mental health concerns on Twitter has access to credible resources. By launching this dedicated search prompt with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences, we welcome another opportunity to amplify awareness and help resources around suicide prevention on Twitter, and contributing to the ongoing efforts required to address this serious issue.”
(If you feel suicidal or know someone in distress, please reach out to them with kindness and call these numbers of local emergency services, helplines, and mental health NGOs)
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