Every year, more than 700,000 lives are lost to suicide—a staggering number that overshadows many other causes of death globally. Suicide has a devastating impact, not just on them, but on their families, communities, and countries. It is the fourth leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29 years. These figures demand action to help those at risk before taking such an irreversible step.

As part of World Suicide Prevention Day 2023, which falls on September 10, we put together these emergency helplines to help you and yours. 

Top suicide hotlines in India

If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, here are the details for some of the emergency helplines in India for suicide prevention:

1. ASARA

ASARA is a public charity service that started in 1998 and has been operating as a non-sectarian organization providing voluntary, professional, and confidential care and support to the depressed and suicidal. 

The Asara website does not just have its helpline number but also a helpline directory consisting of contact numbers from crisis hotline centers from all the states across India.

Contact: +91-9820466726

Operational hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week

Languages supported: English, Hindi

2. Lifeline Foundation

Lifeline Foundation has been operating for 24 years with a mission to break the stigma associated with suicide and provide a safe and confidential place where one can share feelings without being judged.

Contact: +91 3340447437 / +91 9088030303

Operational hours: 7 days a week, 10 AM to 10 PM

Languages supported: English, Hindi

3. Samaritans Mumbai

Samaritans Mumbai is a helpline operating since 1986 to help individuals who are stressed, distressed, depressed, or suicidal. They are a sister organization of various mental health services that began operating as members of Befrienders India and work under the umbrella of “Befriender Worldwide.”

Contact: +91 8422984529 / +91 8422984530 

Operational hours: All days, 4 PM to 10 PM

Write to them at talk2samaritans@gmail.com

Languages supported: English, Hindi

4. Sneha Suicide Prevention Helpline

Sneha Suicide Prevention helpline operates from Chennai and offers services across India to provide unconditional emotional support to those under any emotional turmoil. They ensure complete confidentiality of the caller’s information, and the caller can remain anonymous.

Contact: +91 4424640050 / +91 914424640060

Write to them at help@snehaindia.org

Operational hours: All days, 10 AM to 10 PM

Languages supported: English

5. Jeevan Aastha helpline

The Jeevan Aastha helpline operates with a vision to drastically drop the suicide rates in the country/state through empathy and understanding toward every individual going through any mental health issue.

Contact: 18002333330

Write to them at jeevanaastha@jeevanaastha.com  

Operational hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week

Languages supported: English

6. ReYou

ReYou is a chat-based youth suicide prevention initiative by Initiating Concern for All (iCALL) spearheaded by the School of Human Ecology, TISS – Mumbai and was set up in 2012. It is funded by Mariwala Health Initiative (MHI) and provides immediate support to youth who might be in distress.

It is important to be equipped with helpline resources, but it’s equally important to recognize the signs that someone might be at risk. Early identification can make all the difference.

Recognizing the warning signs

If you are someone who is in distress or know someone who you think might be suicidal, here are some possible warning signs to know so that you can seek support:

• Constantly talking about the feeling of being a burden to others
• Expressing that they want to die or talking about death in a serious or funny tone repeatedly
• Indicating through words, actions, or behaviors that they are under intolerable emotional pain
• Succumbing to substance abuse
• Repeated mood swings
• Searching for ways to die online or through conversations with people
• Eating very less 
• Over-sleeping

Recognizing the warning signs is crucial, but what steps can you take if you or someone you know is displaying these signs? Here are some suggestions for offering effective emotional support.

What you can do

If you think you are suicidal or if someone you know seems suicidal, contact a suicide hotline immediately. Additionally, you can follow the below suggestions:

• Refrain from using language that could aggravate suicidal tendencies because such situations require empathy and understanding toward the distressed. 

• If someone is having suicidal thoughts or showing signs of distress, listen to them without judgment by letting them know you are willing to listen and be there for them. 

• It is important to be aware that those in distress lose the ability to think straight and articulate in the moment, which could make them feel out of control and overwhelmed by emotion for making a sound decision. 

• Understand that they don’t want to be advised but only want to be assured that they are not alone. A simple “I’m here for you” or “I have been there, and I know how it feels” could make those in distress feel that they are not alone, which is all one wants to feel during moments of blinding darkness.

• If one is in a caregiving position and is unable to figure out how to respond, being honest and saying, “I want to be there for you in the right way, but I don’t know how to, so could I connect you to a hotline because they will be able to understand and support you in a way that is beneficial for you since they come from a more informed place than me?” could help the distressed feel better in control while also making them feel less alone.

The importance of seeking help

While emotional support is vital, it’s just the first step. People in distress should seek professional help for long-term solutions. Seek help. Talking about your fears and worries can bring relief and is better than keeping them locked inside. If you or someone you love is struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out. Help is available; you are not alone.