Alice Hendy lost her only sibling, her brother Josh, on 25th November 2020 to suicide at 21 years old. Josh had been researching over the internet techniques to take his own life – and he was not alone. Globally, an alarming 1.2 million online searches linked to suicide occur each month. To ensure more help and support is given to individuals searching for harmful content online, Alice set up the tech-based charity R;pple Suicide Prevention.
R;pple is an interceptive online tool designed to present a visual prompt when a person searches for harmful keywords or phrases relating to the topic of self-harm or suicide. These phrases include any words or terminology which have been identified as displaying potentially damaging online content.
R;pple provides support in 3 simple steps:
1. Intercepts the search with a calmly presented pop-up screen;
2. Guides the person through a filter of breathing exercises statistically proven to help them pause and reflect;
3. Signposts to helplines and mental health resources, accompanied with messages of hope.
R;pple currently has over 1.8 million active users and has intercepted more than 18,000 harmful searches, saving countless lives to suicide.
