India has the highest number of suicide deaths in the world, with the suicide rate at 12 per 100,000 people—well above the global average of 9. Among young women, it is the leading cause of death, and among men aged 18 to 39, the second leading cause. Experts warn that suicide is not a single act but a spectrum—from fleeting thoughts to planning and attempts—highlighting multiple points where timely intervention can save lives.
Talking about suicide is not easy, but it is one of the most important conversations we can have in India today: India records the highest number of suicide deaths in the world. Among young women, it is the leading cause of death, and among young men between 18 and 39, it is the second leading cause of death. The suicide rate in India is 12 per 100,000; this is much higher than the global rate of 9 per 100,000.
When we think of suicide, we may imagine it as a single act, but in reality, suicide lies on a spectrum. It can begin with fleeting thoughts about death (ideation), progress to detailed plans (suicide planning), and, in some cases, result in attempts (suicide attempt) or death by suicide. Understanding this spectrum is key, because it shows us there are many opportunities along the way to notice when someone is struggling and to reach out with support.
Link: Sucide Helplines in India
Who might be at risk of suicide?
There is no “type” of person who may be at risk of suicide, however, suicide is a result of a combination of stressors and factors that come together to place a person in a state of unmanageable distress. Some of these factors may be personal, for example, financial difficulties, unemployment, chronic illness, depression or other mental health conditions, substance or alcohol abuse, or loneliness and isolation.
At an interpersonal level, relationship factors such as family conflict (e.g., separation), marital discord, loss of a loved one, sexual and gender-based violence or intimate partner violence can put an enormous strain on a person and push them to consider suicide.
Community-level and societal pressures such as caste or minority discrimination, war and disaster, stresses of acculturation, bullying, cyberbullying, climate-related displacement, and experiences of discrimination — particularly for vulnerable castes, migrants, refugees, or LGBTQI+ individuals — can compound feelings of hopelessness. When mental health care is hard to access, or when stigma prevents people from seeking help, these challenges can become even harder to bear.
Finally, easy availability of the means for suicide (for e.g. pesticides), inappropriate media reporting on suicide, and stigma against people who seek help for suicidal behaviours also plays a role in compounding distress that can lead to suicide.
Noticing when someone may be feeling suicidal
There are often signs that someone is struggling, and most people who attempt suicide will reach out for help beforehand – whether it be to a friend, to a medical professional or to a family member. These signs often go unnoticed and may be written off, but are actually important to recognise and respond to.
Signs can include withdrawing from friends or social activities, sleeping too much or too little, using alcohol or drugs more heavily, giving away cherished belongings, or saying what sound like “goodbyes.” Some people may search online for ways to die or take risks they wouldn’t normally take.
Sometimes warning signs of suicide might be expressed by an individual indirectly in the way they speak. When someone says things like, “I feel like a burden,” or “I just want it all to end,” it might be their way of expressing suicidal thoughts.
How to offer support
If you feel that someone is thinking about suicide, the first step is to initiate a conversation. This can feel frightening, but research shows that asking someone if they are having suicidal thoughts does not put the idea in their head; instead, it often brings relief that someone noticed their pain. This is a common myth and it’s important to dispel this belief as it can save lives.
People who have survived a suicide attempt are at higher risk of suicidal thoughts or re-attempt, so disclosure of a past attempt opens the conversation for talking about it in future times of need.
Share that you are concerned for them, that they are not alone, and that you care for them. Most importantly, listen actively. Let them share how they feel without judgement or interruption, and acknowledge their distress. If possible, do not devalue their experience by laughing or minimizing their distress, and try not to jump to problem-solving for them. Unless there is an immediate risk of suicide, do not violate privacy without their consent as this may breach their trust in you.
When the risk of suicide or self-harm seems imminent, start (or continue) a conversation with the person.
- Listen actively and without judgement, acknowledge their feelings, express your concern and reassure them that you are there to help.
- Do not leave them alone and support them to contact professional support.
- Remove any lethal means (such as ropes, fertilizers, pesticides, bleach and other poisons) if it seems safe to do so.
- Get help from others in the community while continuing to offer support to the person, and take them to emergency services if needed.
- Even if the crisis seems to pass, keep checking in. Regular messages or visits can remind someone that their life matters and that they have support.
Where can I seek professional support?
For professional help regarding suicidal behavior, you can contact:
- chat.outlive.in for peer-delivered, chat-based support for young people between 18 and 24 years old
- TELEMANAS Helpline: 1800-89-14416 (24x7)
- SNEHA Counselling Center Chennai: +91 44 2464 0050 (10am to 10pm)
- ICALL Helpline: +91 9152987821 (10am to 8pm, Mon to Sat)
- AASRA: +91 99204 66726 (24*7)
- Vandrevela Foundation crisis intervention helpline: +91 9999 666555
For more information : Suicide Helplines in India
The above article was co-authored by:
Sapna Negi (Project Manager) and Sonali Kumar (Program Lead) at the Centre for Mental Health Law & Policy (CMHLP). Read more about their work here: www.cmhlp.org
