Last week, Facebook announced a new partnership with Blue
Star Families and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide customized
crisis support to military families who are at risk for depression or suicide. Facebook
launched suicide-prevention services in December, but the new, military-centric
service will provide users connected to active-duty service members, military
family members and veterans with content and services tailored to the military –
including the Veterans Crisis Line.
Facebook is a lifeline and a major way of communication for
many members of military families. Not only do they use the social network to
talk to deployed family member and loved ones, but can use it to connect with
other military families going through similar experiences. The 2012 Blue Star
Families Military Family Lifestyle Survey showed that 90 percent of the 4,000
military families surveyed reported some level of Facebook usage. Eight-six
percent said they were on the Facebook website daily. The survey also revealed
that the percentage of military family members who have pondered suicide is
nearly equal to the number of service members who have also contemplated
suicide.
Connie Milstein serves as a member of the Blue Star Families
Board of Directors.
