If you or someone you know is dealing with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please remember that you are not alone. Open was designed to be a place of support and for the benefit of all users in mind. You can use the following contact information below for help outside of Open:
24/7 Crisis Hotline: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network (Crisis workers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Calls are always free and your information is confidential.)
https://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Crisis Text Line
Text TALK to 741-741 to text message with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
https://www.crisistextline.org
For additional crisis service resources, please visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:
https://afsp.org/suicide-prevention-resources
Outside of the USA: To find a crisis center near you, please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention: https://findahelpline.com/i/iasp
Open's approach towards self-harm and suicide related content
Open is a platform where users can safely engage in conversations that may include inner self-reflections and personal feelings. While using Open, some of the conversations that’ll you’ll see and participate in may include dialogue from users expressing thoughts or views of self-harm and/or suicide.
It is important to note that Open has zero tolerance for behavior that is mean, judgmental, abusive, or dishonest, especially in conjunction with self-harm and suicide related content. We do not allow the encouragement of self-harm, suicide or promoting violence within our app. This is made explicitly clear within Open's Code of Conduct. Any comments or direct messages that infringe upon our Code of Conduct will be flagged and removed from the platform for the safety and integrity of all Open users.
How you can help
If you, as a user on Open, see a message that is mean, judgmental, hurtful or disingenuous towards another Open user that's discussing self-harm or suicide, you can use the, "Report Message" feature on that message. With your finger, tap and hold down on a message to reveal the option to report that message.
Once a message is reported, our team will investigate that message manually to determine if it breaches the Open Code of Conduct.
Often, messages do not break our Code of Conduct and the conversation continues. Please note that Open’s users are kind, compassionate and empathetic towards others. All users should follow these guidelines within Open:
- React with empathy
- Be respectful of opposing views
- Keep a supportive and safe environment
- Offer help if it’s possible
If you are concerned about an Open user discussing self-harm or suicide, it can also be helpful to direct message them and encourage them to seek advice from dedicated services that may be able to help. At the top of this page are dedicated resources with specialized representatives that may be able to assist someone, one-on-one, if they are facing self-harm and/or suicide related thoughts.