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How much is too much while trying to stop a person determined to commit suicide?

This question has been debated upon since social network site, Facebook, introduced an algorithm on March 1 to scan posts of users and their friends for tell-tale signs of suicidal thoughts (the algorithm is in use only in the United States at present). The company's algorithm is being trained to intervene during live video streams by offering assistance and resources to the person.

Mumbai psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty said, "At first, it may seem intrusive but it should be appreciated that the social network site is acting as a mental health soldier." The doctor said while mental health professionals wait for patients to come to them, social networks seem to be proactively helping out patients who display suicidal tendencies.

"It would be unethical for a doctor or other mental health professionals to be intrusive, but not so for a mental health soldier,'' explained Dr Shetty. "Public health mechanism gets active when we are tackling infectious diseases such as dengue, but we seem to be doing little in terms of public health interventions for suicides even though it claims more lives than traffic accidents," he added.

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Can social networking sites check suicidal tendencies? - Times of India