THE University of Leicester has become one of the first universities in the country to install new software, which could save the lives of students who are suicidal, or thinking about self harm.
All staff and student accounts and computers using the University of Leicester’s computer network, have been updated with a new browser extension called ‘R;pple’, which will automatically intercept content from harmful searches relating to self-harm and suicide.
Upon searching for harmful content, the user will be automatically directed to R;pple, where they will be offered support and provided with mental health resources.
R;pple was founded by Alice Hendy after losing her sibling, Josh, to suicide at 21 years old. Josh had been researching techniques to take his own life through harmful internet searches.
Geoff Green, registrar and secretary at the University of Leicester said: “We have taken an important step forward in introducing R;pple across our University computers and networks, by strengthening our work to ensure we are making suicide prevention a priority.
“We are one of the first universities in the country to introduce R;pple. It will ensure that help and support are given to individuals looking for harmful content online.
“The University is extremely grateful to R;pple for working with us so closely to ensure we are leading implementation of this within the higher education sector,” he added.
The University of Leicester has already pledged to make preventing suicide a priority, following Universities UK guidence on suicide safer universities, and already implements a variety of mental health support and resources to look after its staff and students, including student mental health disclosure training for frontline staff, and student mental health advisers.
For more information on R;pple, visit: www.ripplesuicideprevention.com
