Facebook has developed a pattern recognition software that helps to detect user with suicidal intent. The tests have been proved successful in the US and the company aims to expand the software to other countries in a bid to curb the increasing suicide rates among users.

The world’s largest social media company started the tests in the US in March. The posts of Facebook posts and comments were scanned for phrases that could be signals of an impending suicide.

Officials at Facebook informed that the software searches for certain phrases that could be clues, such as the questions “Are you ok?” and “Can I help?” If the software detects a potential suicide, it sends alerts to a team of Facebook workers who are specialized in handling such reports.

The system then tries to help the user by providing a telephone helpline. Sometimes, Facebook workers also contact local authorities and urge them to intervene.

Facebook’s vice president for product management, Guy Rosen, said after the completion of successful tests in the United States, the company plans to roll out the software outside the US.

Facebook said it has hired employees who are specialists and are available at any hour to call authorities in local languages.  Rosen added “Speed really matters. We have to get help to people in real time.”