Trusted Contact builds on parental controls safety notifications⁠(opens in a new window), which allow parents or guardians to receive alerts when there are signs of acute distress for a linked teen account. Now, we are extending our safety alert options so anyone over 18 can choose to add someone they trust as their Trusted Contact.

Expert guidance⁠(opens in a new window) identifies social connection as one of the most important protective factors to reduce suicide risk. Trusted Contact⁠(opens in a new window) is designed to encourage connection with someone the user already trusts. It does not replace professional care or crisis services, and is one of several layers of safeguards to support people in distress. ChatGPT will still encourage users to contact crisis hotlines or emergency services when appropriate.

While these serious safety situations are rare, when they do arise, our systems are designed to support timely review and response. While no system is perfect, and a notification to a Trusted Contact may not always reflect exactly what someone is experiencing, every notification undergoes trained human review before it is sent, and we strive to review these safety notifications in under one hour.

We developed Trusted Contact with guidance from clinicians, researchers, and organizations that specialize in mental health and suicide prevention. This work is informed by our Global Physicians Network⁠, a network of more than 260 licensed physicians across 60 countries and our Expert Council on Well-Being and AI⁠. We also worked closely with external organizations including the American Psychological Association.⁠(opens in a new window)