Facebook recently announced a new service that harnesses the power of social networking and crisis support to help prevent suicides across the United States and Canada.

The service allows Facebook users to report a suicidal comment they see posted by a friend to Facebook using either the Report Suicidal Content link or the report links found throughout the site.

The person who posted the suicidal comment will immediately receive an e-mail from Facebook encouraging them to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or to click on a link to begin a confidential chat session with a crisis worker.