Suicide is all too prevalent in this day and time, an act that
shakes families to their core. When I think of those who commit suicide a few
questions come to mind. Why? Did they show signs of the possibility of suicide?
Can we stop suicide? What could be been done to prevent suicide? Honestly, I do
not think that all suicides, like murders or rapes, can be stopped. Someone
somewhere will fall through the cracks, the signs if presented will go unnoticed,
or their loved ones will believe that they would never do that. However, I also
think we can close those cracks as much as possible and possibly save countless
lives that are lost to suicide yearly. One of the best ways to prevent suicide
is to recognize the signs and seek professional help.
A Few Warning Signs of Suicide:
- Talking about suicide
- Acquiring the means to commit suicide
- Social withdrawal
- Increase of drug or alcohol use
These
are just a few of the warning signs of suicide more information and warning
signs can be found at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/suicide/DS01062/DSECTION=symptoms
Another possible way to identify those with possible suicidal
intentions is by using social media websites. The Durkheim Project is working
on an app that uses artificial intelligence algorithms to try to identify those
at risk. The app monitors the user’s activities on various social media sites
like facebook, linkedin, and twitter to identify common words and phrases that
identify possible suicidal intentions. Currently the project only targets
veterans, who have a large suicide rate. The latest estimation of veterans
committing suicide has jumped from eighteen a day to twenty-two a day, nearly
one veteran suicide an hour.
There are several downsides to the current program. First
off, the program is only an opt-in program. How likely is it that someone who
is contemplating suicide is going to allow a program to track their use to see
if they are suicidal? Secondly, those that do allow the project to track their
social media behavior and present with the possibility of suicidal tendencies
currently does not intervene
The potential behind this project is monumental, another high side
to social media.
Social media can be used for so much good in the world. It is the bad side that scares me.
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