On Thursday, the company launched a feature called Trusted Contacts, which allows users to notify an adult if the user talks about self-harm or suicide in a serious or worrying way.
Optional feature encourages only trusted contacts to reach out to the user. It does not share chat transcripts or conversation details.
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“Our goal is to ensure that AI systems do not exist in isolation,” the company said in a blog post announcing the feature. “Instead they should help connect people to the real-world care, relationships and resources that matter most.”
OpenAI has been sued several times for wrongful death by family members of ChatGPT users who died by suicide after ChatGPT allegedly trained them to end their lives or did not respond appropriately to their discussions about psychological distress. OpenAI has denied the allegations in the first of those lawsuits.
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A specified trusted contact receives such an invitation from ChatGPT.
Credit: Courtesy OpenAI
The state of Florida is also investigating ChatGPT’s links to “criminal behavior”, including “incitement to suicide and self-harm”.
Trusted Connections was developed with feedback from experts, including OpenAI’s Expert Council on Well-Being and AI and the American Psychological Association.
“Helping people beforehand identify someone they can trust while preserving their choices and autonomy can make it easier to access real-world support when it matters most.” Dr. Arthur Evans, chief executive officer of the American Psychological Association, said in a statement.
How does ChatGPT’s trusted contact work?
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Users can initiate the trusted contact process by clicking on their ChatGPT settings.
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An adult 18 years of age or older can be added through the trusted contact form.
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Contacts do not need a ChatGPT account.
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The named contact will receive an invitation from OpenAI explaining their role as a trusted contact. They must accept the invitation within a week to activate the feature. The contact person can share their phone number or email address as a contact method. If the person declines, the user can add a different adult.
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When OpenAI’s automated monitoring systems detect discussion of self-harm or indicate a serious security issue, ChatGPT alerts the user so the company can notify their trusted contact. User prompts encourage access to trusted contacts and provide conversation starters.
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The security issue is then reviewed by what OpenAI describes as a “small team of specially trained people”. When human reviewers confirm a potentially serious security concern, ChatGPT sends a short email or text message to the trusted contact. If the person has a ChatGPT account, they will receive an in-app notification.
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The notification does not include details about the user’s discussion. Instead, it notifies the trusted contact that the user has mentioned suicide and encourages the contact to get in touch. The message includes a link to guidance on having sensitive conversations.
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Users are free to delete or edit their trusted contacts at any time. Trusted contacts can also remove themselves through ChatGPT’s Help Center.
Disclosure: Mashable’s parent company Ziff Davis filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in the training and operation of its AI systems.
If you are feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to someone. You can call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org.. You can reach Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or The Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text “START” to the crisis text line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM ET, or email [email protected]. If you don’t like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline chat. Here is a list of international resources.
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