I’m a huge Instagram fan. Open
up Instagram and you might see photos of friends, meals that just need to be
bragged about or even a #basic motivational quote. I gravitate toward Instagram
because of its visual and it’s forgiving (probably because the filters are
heaven sent).
As I was casually
scrolling through my Facebook feed, I saw an article that caught my attention, “Instagram’s
Newest Feature is Incredibly Important”.
Refinery29 recently reported
that Instagram launched a new feature on October 17. The new feature offers
users a way to help friends with serious mental health issues without it being seen
as confrontational or aggressive. If you see a friend post something that feels
a little off, a post about self-harm or a cry for help, you can anonymously
report it.
If you choose to report
the post, the user will get a message saying, “Someone saw one of your post and
thinks you might be going through a difficult time. If you need support, we’d
like to help.” The app then offers suggestions like talking to a friend,
contacting a local helpline or receive mental health advice and support.
Mental health is a
serious issue many people face today. I commend Instagram for taking a step in
the right direction and offering help and support to those in need. With
online, social platforms, it’s easy to feel alone. Instagram wants to remind
you, you’re not alone. You are surrounded by a community that cares about you.
