Meta Alert Saves Life of Young Man Attempting Suicide in Lucknow

In a dramatic rescue, the Uttar Pradesh police saved the life of a young man in Lucknow who attempted suicide after a fallout with his girlfriend. The swift intervention was made possible by Meta’s timely alert, highlighting the growing role of social media in preventing tragic incidents.

The incident occurred in the Saerpur area, where an intermediate student, heartbroken and frustrated after a disagreement with his girlfriend, decided to take his own life. The young man consumed expired medication in a suicide attempt and posted a video of the act on Instagram, sending shockwaves through his online followers. However, the quick response from Meta’s automated alert system prevented a tragedy.

At around 2:18 PM on Tuesday, the student, in a state of emotional distress, recorded a video of himself overdosing on expired pills found at home. Shortly after uploading the video to Instagram, Meta’s system flagged the content and sent an immediate alert to the social media center at the DGP office via email.

Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar was quick to take action, instructing the STF control room to trace the student's location. By 2:28 PM, police traced the location to the Saerpur police station area, and within just 10 minutes, the station officer, along with a team, arrived at the student's house.

Upon reaching the young man’s home, police officers listened to his grievances, offering comfort and understanding. The student explained that his girlfriend had said something deeply hurtful, leaving him emotionally devastated and prompting him to attempt suicide by consuming 10 pills of expired medication.

The swift-thinking officers immediately made him drink water to induce vomiting and administered first aid. The young man was then rushed to the hospital for further treatment, with the police accompanying him to ensure his safety. Fortunately, his life was saved, and after counseling, the student promised the police that he would never attempt such a drastic step again.

This incident underscores the critical role of both social media platforms like Meta and the police in preventing suicides. Since January 1, 2023, Uttar Pradesh police have saved 528 lives by responding to similar alerts and acting promptly.

This remarkable rescue highlights the importance of mental health awareness and support. It also demonstrates how technology and swift action can work together to save lives, offering hope to those struggling with emotional challenges.