Metro Vancouver Transit Police say a 13-year-old girl's quick thinking alerted them to a young woman who was potentially suicidal south of the border.
The Metro Vancouver Transit Police received a text message from a 13-year-old girl that alerted them to a video on YouTube of a young woman swallowing pills and referencing suicide, explains Sgt. Clint Hampton, a spokesperson for the Transit Police.
From there, the Criminal Intelligence Unit investigated the situation, which Hampton says included the specialized skill-set of a sergeant who specializes in investigative uses of social media.
"Due to the urgency of the matter, we were able to work with YouTube and parent company Google to identify the location of the young woman depicted in the video," he describes.
"Our investigation located her over 4,000 kilometres away in Ohio. Working with her local police, we were able to make sure she received help."
"It's okay to not be okay."
In a video on Twitter, Hampton emphasizes that "It's okay to not be okay. If you or someone you come across on your transit journey is struggling, text the Metro Vancouver Transit Police at 87-77-77."
When a 13-year-old alerted @TransitPolice to an online video of a young woman swallowing pills & referencing suicide, our investigation located her 4,000kms away in Ohio. Working with her local Police, we were able to make sure help arrived #YouAreNotAlone #MentalHealthMatters pic.twitter.com/z8WwcAWxFo
— Sgt. Clint Hampton (@SgtCHampton) January 19, 2021
If anyone comes across anything indicative of suicide online, please contact your local police or dial 9-1-1.
