Samaritans App Monitors Twitter for Suicide Warnings

A new app launched by the Samaritans charity will alert Twitter users if people that they follow on the network are showing signs of being suicidal.

Called Samaritans Radar, the app uses an algorithm to look for specific keywords and phrases within tweets that indicate that someone might be struggling to cope. Words and phrases that are tracked include “tired of being alone”, “hate myself”, “depressed”, “help me” and “need someone to talk to”.

Twitter users who have signed up on the Radar platform will receive an email alert if somebody they follow tweets any of these statements.

Samaritans