Given the increase in searches related to terms such as “suicide”, “depression”, “anxiety”, “burnout”, “mental health crisis” and the like, Google announced an initiative to provide help to users who come to your search engine.
In the United States, May is the Mental Health Awareness Month. In this framework, the company owned by Alphabet Inc. reported that, from now on, when someone searches for information on these issues, they will see answers focused on providing specialized support.
“People often turn to Google search in some of their most vulnerable moments. In the context of a crisis, it is critical to instill hope and provide simple information that is easy to apply,” said Megan Jones Bell, Google’s director of mental health and consumers, on the company blog.
“In times of crisis, people need easy access to resources that connect them with the help they need and the support of people around them”he added.
With these changes, when someone searches for terms related to self-harm, Google will show pre-written help messages under the heading ‘988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’. The default texts were developed in collaboration with the International Association for Suicide Prevention. Their goal is to reduce the stigma of asking for help, they explain from the company.
What is ‘988’, the mental health support line?
For his part, he 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline It is a help line that will remain open 24 hours a day. is connected to a network of more than 200 state and local call centers, funded by the US Department of Healthand offers containment in moments of crisis.
The new function of Google will offer three options for Internet users: phone call, open a chat either access the official website of the help service.
If the user chooses chat, it will appear to be pre-written text messages with phrases like “I’m struggling right now and just need to talk to someone, can we chat?”, “When you get a chance, can you contact me?” and “I feel alone and with suicidal thoughts, I could use urgent help”, among others. The idea is that users can send these templates to someone they trust, which could make it easier for them to express what they feel.
“When someone is in a vulnerable situation, it can be difficult to put this experience into words and know what to say to ask for help,” Jones Campana explained on the Google blog.
In the statement, they stress that “these pre-written instructions, developed in association with the experience of the International Association for Suicide Prevention, reduce the stigma of asking for help, which has been shown to help people obtain support in times of crisis.” crisis”.
Eating disorders, another issue of concern for Google
In addition, since last year Google began using artificial intelligence to detect searches for people in crisis.
Other actions by Google include removing content that promotes eating disorders on YouTube, as well as restricting videos about recovery from eating disorders to users over the age of 18. It will also display a resource panel below topic-related videos and in search results.
With this, the platform seeks to reach more people interested in this content, whatever the reason.
“These changes will help give space to the community and recovery, while still protecting viewers,” they point out.
With these measures they hope to help people who are in a mental health crisis.
Editorial Team The editorial team of EMPRENDEDOR.com, which for more than 27 years has worked to promote entrepreneurship.