Google launching special search results for poison control and suicide hotlines
11 November 2010
Today Google is launching special search results for searches relating to poisoning and suicide in Australia.
When you need to find the hotline for poison control, chances are you need to find it fast.
Starting today, if you search on Google.com.au
for a term like "poisoning” you'll see a special search result at the
very top of the page — a large red phone icon and the words: "For a
poison emergency in Australia call 13 11 26."
This
number will put you in direct touch with the Poisons Information
Centre, a 24/7 hotline service accessible from anywhere in Australia.
Similarly, a search on Google.com.au
for certain terms related to suicide will turn up a large red phone
icon and the words: "Need help? In Australia, call 13 11 14."
This
number will put callers in touch with Lifeline Australia, a 24-hour confidential national suicide prevention hotline to support
anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Google's
Roni Zeiger, a physician by training, started this effort in the U.S.
last year when he received an email from a mother who had trouble
finding the phone number for the poison control hotline after her
daughter accidentally ingested something potentially poisonous
(fortunately, her daughter was fine).
Soon
after Google added a special result for poison control, he started
hearing from Google colleagues whose lives had been affected by suicide
and who thought that suicide prevention could be another case for a
special search result.
Following positive feedback from consumers and our hotline partners in the US, we're expanding the program to Australia today.
Australian partners, Lifeline Australia and the Poisons Information Centre, have welcomed this initiative.
Lifeline’s
Acting CEO Angus Clelland said today, “Lifeline is always looking for
innovative ways to help more people who are experiencing an emotional
crisis.
“This
initiative by Google will assist us to reach more people in need, so we
are very proud to be partnering with them on this important measure.
“We know it will, quite literally, help us save more lives.”
“It
is time-critical that people are able to get the right advice on
poisonings, snake or spider bites,” said Dr. Naren Gunja, Medical
Director and Toxicologist, NSW Poisons Information Centre at The
Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
“This initiative by Google will help
save lives. People look to Google for information and the 24 hour
emergency phone number 13 11 26 will now be easy to find. ”
Roni
Zeiger said: “People come to Google to search for information.
Particularly in times of crisis, it's especially important for them to
find the crucial information they're looking for, and find it fast, and
these special search results can save precious moments.
“Our
partners here in Australia do an amazing job supporting people through
crises and we're pleased to be able to support their work in this small
way.”
Media contact information:
Poisons Information Centre
Contact: Leonie Leonard
Phone: 02 9845 3583
Web: www.poisonsinfo.nsw.gov.au
Lifeline Australia
Contact: Chris Wagner
Phone: 02 6215 9446
Mobile: 0434 378 939
Google Australia & New Zealand
Phone: 02 9374 4000
Email: press-australia-nz@google.com