There is no denying that the images we see and search for influence our psyche. Take, for example, the young Syrian boy in Aleppo, Omran. The image of him covered in soot and blood, looking helpless in the back of an ambulance shook the world, led to many calling for greater action from world leaders. Through the rise of social media, people sending out calls for help went online unnoticed and unanswered. Until now.  

Instagram is taking responsibility for its role as a resource to help combat upsetting trends and images on the social media platform, and, more importantly, providing services for those who appear to be in danger.  The latest update from the social media platform allows users to anonymously flag content that they believe is concerning. And unlike similar programs on other social media platforms, this one triggers a message to the person who posted the image.

“Someone saw one of your posts and thinks you might be going through a difficult time," a message reads. "If you need support, we’d like to help.” This message is followed by a set of options such as numbers for local support helplines, the opportunity to talk to a friend, and information about how to get advice for mental health.

This could make a huge difference for addressing mental health challenges for people of all ages. Especially for youth. 

Read More: What Makes You a Man? How to Handle Masculinity and Mental Health

Teens spend an average of 53 hours per week consuming various media and the revelations displayed on an individual's social media platforms can be the most sacred. The longing for connection online has further expanded into using these mediums as social cries for help.

Claire, 27, tells the story on the National Centre for Suicide Prevention’s website of how she and her husband saved a young man’s life after reading that he wrote on Facebook that he no longer wanted to live.

“I organized for someone who lived closer to go over and an ambulance was called,” she recalled.

However, with the new setting on Instagram calling for help and raising concern will be easier.

Having the ability to stop an individual from taking their own life seems the most extreme of these cases. Sometimes the concerning images indicate issues related to body image.

The hashtag #thinspo, short for "thinspiration" has long been popular with people suffering from eating disorders. Take a spin through this hashtag on Twitter and Pinterest, and you'll see some alarming photos. 

Read More: Making Mental Illness More Visible — With Some Really Cool T-Shirts

Instagram also utilizes this new feature in the search bar. Searches like #selfharm or #anorexia will prompt the same flags, and message to appear.

Previously, the social media platform set out to eradicate profiles that included content that could trigger those suffering from mental health conditions, and banned search words like “thigh gap” and “thinspiration,” in response to concerns of the growing negative spaces established.

The company’s decision to filter and delete these forums has been celebrated. Former program director of the National Eating Disorders Association, referred to the blogs as the equivalent of “putting a loaded gun in the hands of someone suicidal.”

Read More: Mental Health: The Good, the Bad, and the Inhumane Treatments

It’s important that we understand that while social media is often seen as a place just for positive sharing, the removed element of what goes on behind our screens is important to recognize, too. These adaptations have the potential to stimulate real help, even saving lives.

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Instagram Addresses Self-Harm & Suicide With Reporting Feature

By Sydney Denmark