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TELL, Tokyo Inochi-no-Denwa, Facebook partner to prevent suicide in Japan

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Suicide claims the lives of over 30,000 individuals in Japan. Tokyo English Life Line (TELL), Tokyo Inochi-no-Denwa and Facebook, are working together, to provide help and resources to those in need to fight against suicide in Japan.

This partnership enables Facebook’s more than 21 million users in Japan, to connect with trained mental health professionals if they feel that they or someone they know is at risk of suicide.

If people see concerning content or direct threats of suicide on Facebook, they can visit Facebook’s Help Center where they can find contact information for TELL, Tokyo Inochi-no-Denwa, and other local suicide prevention agencies they can contact immediately. People can also use the report links found on nearly every Facebook page, so that the potentially suicidal person can receive relevant resources based on their locale.

Facebook will then reach out to the person who may need help and pass on information about local suicide prevention agencies so that the person can talk to someone near them in confidence.

This service is available in English and Japanese. People can contact TELL Lifeline in English and Tokyo Inochi-no-Denwa in Japanese.

TELL Lifeline’s Jason Chare said, “Lifeline responds to more than 6,000 calls a year, but we’re always conscious of how many others need help. A Japanese government survey of 3,000 people conducted in January 2012 found that one out of four adults in Japan has thought of committing suicide, with young people increasingly at risk.

“Over the past six years, TELL has expanded online support and embraced social media as a means of maximizing our reach. Facebook is particularly important in reaching out to young people, and this partnership represents a timely and effective means for us to continue our expansion in the online space.”

Available daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., TELL Lifeline (03-5774-0992) is the only telephone counseling service available in English in Japan, offering support by counselors trained to respond to issues such as depression, anxiety, cultural adjustment, grief and relationship problems. Lifeline also responds to crisis including sexual assault, domestic violence and suicide.

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Just an opinion but maybe it will help if these calls were toll-free numbers...

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The TELL number is incorrect/incomplete. it is 03-5774-0992 Also, this organisation is an NPO and has to rely 100% on donations and fund raising. Unless NTT is willing to chip in with 0120 free dial, it would weigh heavily budget-wise. TELL is also not just for foreigners as they take a growing number of calls from Japanese ppl as well.

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