RIYADH: Snapchat has partnered with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to make its mental health support service available to users in the Kingdom.
The Here For You in-app portal was launched in some regions of the world in 2020 and in the UAE last year. Its release in Saudi Arabia coincides with World Mental Health Day.
The portal provides support to Snapchat users experiencing mental health or emotional crises, as well as those who want to learn more about the issues and how they can help their friends deal with them.
The portal is activated by user searches for terms associated with mental health, such as bullying, stress, anxiety and depression, and provides vetted resources from mental health partners.
It also features six animated videos from the MCIT bullying prevention squad on related issues.
Nasser Al-Nasser, assistant deputy minister at the MCIT, said: “At MCIT, we have strived to create engaging platforms that enhance the digital well-being of KSA citizens and educate them about the purposeful use of technology.
“With this partnership, we are giving Snapchatters access to an innovative tool, which will enable them to address mental health challenges and subsequently encourages Snapchatters to have a positive lifestyle.”
The resources and tools provided by the ministry through the portal are designed to be shareable in order to build a supportive environment.
Abdulla Alhammadi, regional business lead at Snap Inc., said the portal would reach over 90 percent of 13- to 34-year-olds in the Kingdom, “providing support and education for young people through an in-app experience.”
The company said it had collaborated with leading nonprofit and safety organizations to provide users with in-app mental health and well-being resources.
