Introducing Trusted Contact in ChatGPT

People use ChatGPT to learn, explore ideas, solve problems, and reflect on personal questions. Sometimes those conversations can involve moments when someone may be struggling or looking for support. Our goal is to design systems that respond thoughtfully to sensitive conversations and encourage people to connect with real-world help when needed.

Today we are starting to roll out Trusted Contact, ​​an optional safety feature in ChatGPT that allows adults to nominate someone they trust, such as a friend, family member, or caregiver, who may be notified if our automated systems and trained reviewers detect the enrolled person may have discussed harming themselves in a way that indicates a serious safety concern. Trusted Contact is designed to offer another layer of support alongside the localized helplines⁠ already available in ChatGPT, by helping users connect to a person they trust when they are in crisis.

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.

—Dr. Arthur Evans, Chief Executive Officer of the American Psychological Association