NEW YORK : A new phone app launched recently can help people ward off suicidal tendencies. The Broome HOPE app shows people how to recognise warning signs and start a conversation, according to media reports.

The app helps users recognise the warning signs of suicide and allows them to immediately connect to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The free app was unveiled recently by Broome county executive Debbie Preston.

"Sometimes we don't talk about suicide. There are people who need someone to talk to and need help," Preston was quoted as saying. Suicide was the 10th leading cause of death for Americans in 2013, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention states that suicide warning signs can include a person saying he or she has no reason to live or feels trapped, and behavioural changes such as isolation from family and friends, depression, recklessness and giving away prized possessions.

The app's information is categorised by group, including adults, teens, young adults and veterans.

Broome County's suicide prevention app follows a trend in municipal agencies turning to smartphone technology to boost services and access to resources for communities.

The app is free to use and is available on Android and iPhone.

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