Because we all know that nobody’s lives are as perpetually “perfect” as they are on Instagram, the company has introduced a new feature to detect mental health issues.
If you notice a friend’s post that raises alarm bells when it comes to self-harm or another mental health issue, you can now send an anonymous report.
You friend potentially in need will then get an alert saying: “Someone saw one of your posts and thinks you might be going through a difficult time. If you need support, we’d like to help.”
The feature will then offer an assortment of options for the individual to go through, including tips, talking to a friend or contacting a local helpline.
All of the suggestions are the result of consultations with mental health groups like The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
The tool also redirects anyone searching for banned hashtags like #thinspo #selfharm to the support system.
‘We listen to mental health experts when they tell us that outreach from a loved one can make a real difference for those who may be in distress,’ ‘ Instagram’s chief operating officer Marne Levine told Seventeen.
While it’s undoubtedly a step in the right direction for the social media platform, the sad reality is that those with the most glossy, perfectly filtered glamorous lives on social media can very well be the ones who are suffering the most.
But it’s definitely a good move, Instagram (even if it is totally overdue).
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