How to Snap out of Suicidal Thoughts?

Information on this page may trigger some people. If you are having any suicidal thoughts, Call 9152987821 (iCall) for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 112.

Suicidal ideation means wanting to take your own life or thinking about it. There are two kinds of suicidal thoughts: Active and Passive.

Active suicidal ideation refers to thoughts, plans, or desires to commit suicide, which may include formulating a specific plan and the intention to carry it out. It is a concerning mental health condition that requires immediate attention and intervention from mental health professionals, friends, family, or a support helpline.

Active Suicidal ideation is a sign of significant emotional distress and should be treated as a medical emergency to ensure the safety and well-being of the individual.

Passive suicidal ideation is thoughts or wishes about death or a desire to die, but without a specific intent or plan to carry out the act. It involves a lack of active planning or concrete steps towards committing suicide. People experiencing passive suicidal ideation may feel like they would rather not wake up, wish for a natural death, or think about how things would be easier if they were no longer alive.

Open communication and seeking appropriate help can make a significant difference in providing the necessary support and resources to address these thoughts and feelings.

A suicide attempt is when people harm themselves with the intent of ending their life, but they do not succeed.

We support promising secondary research that is likely to have an impact on reducing suicide in India. Please take assistance from below mentioned centres for immediate help or for suicide prevention and intervention programs in different contexts – health care, community, and the justice system:

Vandrevala Foundation Helpline: A mental health helpline in India that provided free psychological counseling and crisis intervention for the last 14 years for anyone feeling anxious, depressed, stressed, lonely, suicidal, or simply struggling to cope.

Helpline: +91 9999 555 666

Website: www.vandrevalafoundation.com

Roshni: Roshni has been offering emotional support to those feeling depressed, distressed, or suicidal since 1997. Their service is free and completely confidential.

Suicide Prevention Helpline Number: +91 814 202 0033

Snehi: Snehi’s mission is to promote dignity, well-being, and positive mental health, preventing suicides and mental disorders.

Call them: +91 958 220 8181

Sumaitri: Based in Delhi, Sumaitri is a voluntary organization running a crisis intervention center for individuals struggling with depression or distress.

Call at: 011-4601 8404 or +91-931 576 7849

iCall: iCall, run by the School of Human Ecology, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, offers free telephone and email-based counseling services.

Suicide Prevention Helpline Number:: +91 915 298 7821

Parivarthan: Parivarthan, a mental health counseling service since 1995, offers free consultations with trained experts to cope with stress and depression.

Contact their mental health counseling department at: +91 805 000 3136 or +91 636 630 2425.

VIMHANS: Their trained counselors provide personalized care for all aspects of mental health. At VIMHANS, you can find help for psychiatry, psychological, and neuro issues.

Call them: +91 9999 691 507 or +91 9999 691 508

Connecting: Connecting is a youth-focused suicide prevention NGO that offers programs, seminars, and a helpline to connect with expert counselors.

Helpline Number: +91 992 200 1122

Samaritans Mumbai: Samaritans Mumbai has been actively supporting mental health since 1968. It helps individuals struggling with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts.

Call them: +91 84229 84528 / +91 84229 84529 / +91 84229 84530

Aasra Helpline: At AASRA, the trained volunteers offer empathetic support to individuals having suicidal ideations.

Suicide Prevention Helpline Number: 91 982 046 6726.

Arogya Seva: Aarogya Seva is a humanitarian organization that provides quality healthcare services. They also offer a helpline number for individuals struggling with mental health problems.

Helpline: +91 944 804 1257

Fortis Stress Helpline: Fortis Healthcare’s Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences offers clinical evaluation and treatment services. The Fortis Stress Helpline provides an empathetic ear to struggling individuals.

Stress Helpine Number: +91 124 492 1041.

COOJ Mental Health Foundation: COOJ promotes mental health through various projects. They also focus on providing mental health guidance.

Helpline Number to call Call on: +91 982 256 2522

Saath: Saath provides resources for those affected by suicide and offers opportunities to help in suicide prevention.

Call them on +91 792 630 5544 or +91 792 630 0222

Jeevan Aastha Helpline: Jeevan Aastha Helpline provides counseling and mental health guidance to struggling individuals.

Toll-Free Helpin number: 1800 233 3330

What are some of the warning signs of suicide?

There are always warning signs for every action a human being is about to do and someone at an immediate risk for attempting suicide can show some signs. These can be a mix of a few of them but in no way means that if someone shows these means he will attempt

Talking repeatedly about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves
Sharing the feeling of hopelessness or having no reason to live
Showing emotional pain through actions like often stucking
Talking about feeling trapped and no way out
Talking repeatedly about being a burden to others
Withdrawing from family, friends and people who were close knit
Saying goodbye to friends and family
Putting affairs in order, such as making will or giving away important possessions
Taking rash risks that could lead to death
Talking about feeling great guilt or shame and death often
Searching for lethal methods online, stockpiling pills or buying ropes, knifes etc
Using alcohol or drugs more often
Displaying extreme mood swings, suddenly changing from very sad to very calm or happy

What can you as a well wisher do if someone is at a risk of suicide?

Be there or make sure someone is really there with him.her: The simple Mantra is – listen carefully and try to understand what the individual is thinking and feeling and accordingly call the helpline numbers above for assistance.

Now you need to understand possible risk factors for suicide.

People of all genders and ages can be a risk for suicide as suicidal behaviour is really complex, and there is no single cause. The major risk factors for suicide can be:

Depression, other mental disorders
Substance use disorder
Chronic physical and mental pain
Family history of a mental disorder or substance use
Personal history of suicide attempts
Family history of suicide
Losing a Friend or Family Member to Suicide
Exposure to family violence, including physical, mental or sexual abuse
Having recently been released from jail or a holding setup
Access to harmful Means

Important Risk factors for suicide image

What are treatments for people at risk for suicide?

If you have passive suicidal Ideation, your doctor or therapist may recommend psychotherapy, medications, and lifestyle changes that can help reduce the risk of suicide.

Talk therapy – Psychotherapy is exploring the reason of why one is feeling suicidal and how to cope and overcome it.
Family therapy and education. Loved ones can help better understand what the family member is going through, understand the warning signs as they are the closest to you.
Substance use disorder treatment, if experiencing an increase in alcohol or drug or any other substance addiction.
Lifestyle changes, including managing stress, improving diet, sleep, and exercise habits, building a healthy support network, and making time for hobbies and interests.
Medications to treat any medical condition causing suicidal ideation. This may include antipsychotic medications, anti depressants or anti-anxiety medications.