Facebook aims to help prevent suicide

MENLO PARK, Calif. (AP) — Facebook is making it easier for people who express suicidal thoughts on the social networking site to get help.



A program launching Tuesday enables users to instantly connect with a crisis counselor from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline through Facebook's "chat" messaging system.



If a friend spots a suicidal thought on someone's page, he can report it to Facebook by clicking a link next to the comment. Facebook then sends an email to the person, who posted the comment encouraging that user to call the hotline or click a link for a confidential chat.



The service is Facebook's latest move aimed at improving safety on its site.



Facebook says the goal is to get a person in distress help as quickly as possible.