Twitter offers to help with potential suicides

TWITTER has contacted the South African Anxiety and Depression Group to ask them to respond to tweets that sound suicidal.

Twitter told the group's operations director, Cassey Chambers, that it would list the group so South Africans who use Twitter to express genuine distress can be forwarded to them. The arrangement is still being finalised.

The group already works with Facebook to help those who write status updates that suggest they are planning to end their lives.

Anyone who sees a Facebook friend write something suicidal or very depressed in tone can report their friend's status. – Katharine Child