Using Twitter to prevent suicides

A new Twitter feed has been set up to promote suicide prevention in New Zealand.

The group Suicide Prevention Information New Zealand (SPINZ) announced today that it would use the fast-growing social media site to help in the distribution of research and information.

"The huge increase in popularity of social networking sites like Twitter is rapidly changing the way we access information," SPINZ director Merryn Statham said.

"SPINZ has access to a wealth of quality data. Social networking platforms give us a vital opportunity for disseminating this information to a large and diverse audience, on a timely and regular basis."

The Twitter feed launch has been timed to coincide with the group's biennial symposium next week. SPINZ will also use its Twitter feed to provide regular updates from the two-day symposium.

There was a flush of messages on Twitter last week after the suicide of DJ AM - the stage name of disc jockey Adam Goldstein, whose music could be heard on albums by Madonna and Will Smith.

Celebrities and fans shared their reactions to his death on the social media site, where - according to news agency Reuters - "RIP DJ AM" was the No 1 topic.

Goldstein himself also used Twitter to post his last known public remarks when he wrote: "New york, new york. Big city of dreams, but everything in new york aint always what it seems."

Although the SPINZ Twitter feed is primarily aimed at supporting agencies and people interesting in the suicide prevention sector, it is presumed that it will also help those who are personally vulnerable.

"Every effort to better coordinate the support sector ... has a flow on effect for those people who are vulnerable," Statham told Stuff.co.nz today.

SPINZ is part of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, which also uses the social media site Facebook.

Internet watchdog NetSafe - which promotes safe and responsible use of cyberspace - is supportive of the SPINZ initiative. Executive director Martin Cocker said it was good to see the group using sites like Twitter to target and help vulnerable people.

"I commend any ... agency that uses the web tools available to them to connect with their audience," Cocker said.

SPINZ on Twitter: www.twitter.com/suicidenz

Stuff on Twitter: www.twitter.com/NZStuff

Mark Stevens on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Mark_Stevens_

- © Fairfax NZ News