A new tool on Facebook trying to stop people taking their own lives is prompting a mixed reaction from a Christian project for people affected by self-harm.

The Suicide Prevention resource has already been rolled-out across Facebook in the United States and Australia but it is now being introduced on its UK site, in partnership with The Samaritans.

It involves users being asked to flag-up alarming material to Facebook staff who review the material before deciding whether to refer the publisher to advice and support services.

Rachel Welch, founder of Free from Harm - a Christian self-harm support project for young adults - said she welcomes the idea in principle but a wider issue of damaging material available on the internet still needs to be addressed.

Speaking on Premier's News Hour programme, she said: "I think there's also a bigger issue to address as well about actually keeping social media a clean and safe place.

"I did a quick trawl through a few different sites this morning and very quickly...I found something that was encouraging self-harm [and] eating disorders. It's all very well trying to address those and reach out to those who are perhaps struggling with something but we also need to be proactive in making sure that these forums are kept safe.

"[For] all of us that engage with social media, it's all of our responsibility, not just the providers and the organisations behind them."

She added, when it comes to establishing strong relationships and being sensitive to how loved ones are doing, nothing can compete with real-life relationships.

Julie de Bailliencourt, Safety Policy manager, EMEA, Facebook said: "Keeping the Facebook community safe is our most important responsibility.

"We worked with organisations including Samaritans to develop these tools, and one of the first things they told us was how much connecting with people who care can help those who are struggling to cope - whether offline or online.

"People use Facebook to connect with friends and family, and that's why we're evolving the support, resources and advice available to people who are in distress and their concerned friends and family members."

Samaritans CEO Ruth Sutherland added: "Social media is a great thing, it provides an outlet for many people and it's a great source of information and support. It's a way that we connect with our friends, a way of communication. Samaritans welcomes Facebook's commitment to keeping their users safe in this environment.

Members of the public who would like to find out more should visit www.samaritans.org.