Apps don’t provide reliable help for suicide prevention

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Portable device photo illustrations Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images

A handful of depression management and suicide prevention apps — downloaded millions of times — included incorrect or nonfunctional contact information for suicide crisis help lines, according to a new analysis. While apps can offer people with suicidal thoughts or behaviors an important lifeline, experts are worried that many of the apps available on the Apple App Store or Google Play may not be following best practices, or connecting people with appropriate resources.

Depression management and suicide prevention apps can fill an important role: many people feel more comfortable looking for information or seeking help online, and report that it’s easier to ask questions and share problems online rather than speaking with a person face...

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source https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/30/21035816/suicide-prevention-apps-reliable-help-crisis-hotline-support

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