Hello and good morning friends,

I want to talk to you real quick (probably not that quick) about the Twitter option to "report" someone who you think might be at risk for suicide and self harm.

Some of you might not have heard of this feature so let me explain it briefly 1/14

When flagging a tweet to Twitter, one of the options available to you is to report concerns that someone might be about to harm themselves.

It's an interesting feature for sure and I'm sure was created with the right intentions, however it's flawed and here's why 2/14

A lot of people use Twitter as a kind of "safe space" and, for some (especially those who use it anonymously), it may have been the ONLY place they have to talk about their mental health.

When you report someone who is at risk, it might feel to them as though they're losing 3/14

their only outlet, which is obviously not good.

Talking about negative feelings doesn't always mean someone is at risk of suicide or self harm and it's really important to allow people to have the space to express themselves.

By reporting, you might silence them 4/14

5/14 Somebody reported my account for being at risk yesterday, I assume for posting this tweet: https://twitter.com/pigletish/status/1266056191081418754?s=20

Thankfully, I am in an OK place. I can recognise that this came from a place of kindness and concern and I am so grateful that this individual cares enough about my well-being to take action. We need more caring people in the world, for sure.

However... 6/14

I would be very hesitant to use this report facility at all and especially when someone is not expressing specific intentions or thoughts around suicide / self harm.

It could encourage people to censor themselves and, for some, it has actually added distress 7/14

Twitter does not intervene in these situations and does not contact the emergency services with concerns about someone's welfare, but they do send out an email (screen shot attached) and a link of crisis lines and resources: https://about.twitter.com/en_us/safety/safety-partners.html#mental-health/gb 8/14

As someone who wasn't feeling suicidal when they received that email, I felt confused and a little bit worried about what I should and shouldn't say online. I've seen others express feelings of paranoia, distress or that they felt they had nowhere left to express themselves 9/14

Seen someone on your timeline? Here are some alternatives to reporting.

1. don't assume someone is suicidal unless they have explicitly said so
2. ask if someone is at risk of harm
3. if someone appears to be in immediate danger, contact the emergency services
(cont...) 10/14

4. Share some sincere thoughts of sympathy and kindness
5. Ask that person if they want to talk
6. Let them know they are not alone
7. Share a crisis line number
8. Share a link to some resources that may help

It could make a huge difference 11/14

Your own mental health is important too, do not set yourself on fire to keep others warm.

Twitter has some really useful tools for protecting your own wellbeing:
mute triggering words phrases
protect your tweets
block / mute accounts with content that triggers you 12/14

Lastly, I just want to say that this isn't about reprimanding the people who have used this feature and there are times when it is the only viable /appropriate option.

I'm just not sure that everyone is aware about the ins and outs of the process and potential pitfalls 13/14

To the person who reported my tweet yesterday, thank you. Sincerely.

I wasn't in any danger but I really appreciate that you thought I was and took some time out of your day, it obviously came from a caring place and I appreciate that.

Peace and love /end of thread.