In a Suicidal Crisis? Here’s What to Do Right Now (And Who to Call)
Syed Hammad Ali, VIMHANS Hospital, Delhi
The weight of the world can sometimes feel unbearable. If you are reading this while feeling overwhelmed by pain, hopelessness, or thoughts of ending your life, please know this first and foremost: you are not alone, and your life is precious. These feelings, as intense and permanent as they may seem, are often a sign of overwhelming pain, not a character flaw. They are treatable, and they will pass.
We at VIMHANS want to provide you with a practical, immediate guide for this very moment. This is your first-aid kit for suicide prevention.
Immediate Steps to Ensure Your Safety Right Now
When in crisis, your primary goal is simple: get through the next few minutes, then the next hour. Your only job is to stay safe.
● Reach Out for Help: Do not stay alone with these thoughts. Immediately call or text one of the helpline numbers listed below. If you cannot call, message a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional and say, "I'm not okay, and I need support right now." Verbalizing the pain can often lessen its intensity.
● Create a Safety Space: If you have a plan or means to harm yourself, create distance between yourself and that method. This is not easy, but it is critical.
○ Leave the environment you are in. Go to a different room, step outside, or go to a public place like a park or a café.
○ Give the means to someone else temporarily. If it's medication, ask a loved one to hold onto it. If it's something else, put it in a hard-to-reach place, lock it away, or dispose of it if you can.
● Avoid Substances: Alcohol or drugs can intensify negative emotions and impair your judgment, making it harder to see a way out. Try to avoid them during this vulnerable time.
● Remember: This is a Moment in Time. A suicidal crisis is like a wave, it feels all-consuming when it crashes over you, but it will recede. Your brain is in crisis mode, making it hard to see solutions. Please trust that this intensity is temporary.
Who to Call: National and Delhi-Based Helplines
These services are confidential, and staffed by trained, compassionate individuals who want to listen.
National Helplines:
● NIMHANS Psychosocial Support Helpline: 080-4611 0007
● Vandrevala Foundation Helpline: 1-860-266-2345 or 1-860-266-2345 (24/7)
● iCall: +91-9152987821 (Available Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM)
● Aasra: +91-9820466726 (24/7)
● Life, Crisis Support, Suicide Prevention: 7893078930
Delhi-NCR Specific Helplines:
● VIMHANS Hospital, Delhi: For immediate emergency support, you can contact our hospital directly. 011-4099-0000 / +91 9999 691 507
In an Immediate Medical Emergency:
● Dial 112 (India's Single Emergency Number) or 108 (for ambulance services). You can also go directly to the emergency room of the nearest hospital, including VIMHANS.
Your Path to Safety: The VIMHANS Crisis Management Protocol
If you or a loved one are in crisis, know that a dedicated team is ready to support you from the first moment you reach out to long after the immediate crisis has settled. For over four decades, VIMHANS has been a pioneer in mental healthcare, and our professionals are highly experienced, skilled, and equipped to handle such critical scenarios with compassion and expertise.
Our Multi-Access Crisis Protocol:
● Call Us: Our emergency numbers are monitored to connect you with a professional who can provide immediate telephonic support, assess the situation, and guide you on the next steps.
● Email Us: For those who find it easier to express themselves in writing, you can reach out to us at help@vimhans.com. Our team checks emails regularly and will respond promptly to provide guidance.
● Visit our OPD: You can walk into our Out-Patient Department during working hours. Our staff will ensure you are seen by a mental health professional without unnecessary delay for an urgent assessment.
● Visit our Casualty/Emergency Ward: For acute crises that occur outside office hours, our 24/7 casualty service is your point of access. Here, our in-patient team is adept at first-hand management of the crisis, providing immediate stabilization for the individual and essential support for caregivers.
What to Expect: A Commitment to Holistic Care
● Safe and Secure In-Patient Care (IPD): If needed, our in-patient infrastructure is designed for your safety, security, and continuous monitoring. We maintain a gentle, holistic, and personalised approach at all times, ensuring dignity and respect throughout the healing process.
● Comprehensive Follow-Up: We go to great lengths to ensure recovery doesn't end at discharge. We believe in robust, regular follow-up care once the immediate crisis has settled to provide ongoing therapy, medication management, and support, helping you build a sustainable path to long-term wellness.
Calming and Grounding Exercises While You Wait
While you are waiting for help to arrive or for the intense feelings to pass, try these techniques to anchor yourself in the present moment. They can help slow down a racing mind.
● The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique: Force your mind to engage with your immediate surroundings.
○ Name 5 things you can SEE (e.g., a lamp, a crack in the wall, a speck of dust).
○ Identify 4 things you can FEEL (e.g., the fabric of your shirt, the cool floor, your breath in your lungs).
○ Acknowledge 3 things you can HEAR (e.g., a fan humming, distant traffic, your own heartbeat).
○ Notice 2 things you can SMELL (e.g., soap, the air, a book).
○ Identify 1 thing you can TASTE (e.g., sip water, taste the air).
● Focus on Your Breath: You don't need to change it, just observe it. Place a hand on your stomach. Feel it rise and fall. Count your breaths: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 2, exhale slowly for 6 counts. This simple act can regulate your nervous system.
● Hold Something Cold or Warm: Splash cold water on your face, hold an ice cube, or grip a warm cup of tea. The strong physical sensation can provide a powerful distraction from emotional pain.
For Friends and Family: How to Respond with Compassion
If someone confides in you, your response is crucial. Here’s how to be supportive:
● Listen Without Judgment. This is the most important thing you can do. Let them speak. Don't interrupt, offer quick solutions, or say things like "You have so much to live for." Instead, use phrases like:
○ "I'm so sorry you're going through this. Thank you for telling me."
○ "I'm here with you. You are not alone in this."
○ "That sounds incredibly painful. Tell me more about what you're feeling."
● Take It Seriously. Never dismiss their feelings as "dramatic" or "a phase." Believe them.
● Ask the Difficult Question Directly and Calmly: "Are you thinking about killing yourself?" or "Do you have a plan?" This shows you are willing to talk about the hard stuff and allows you to assess the level of immediate risk.
● Do Not Keep It a Secret. Your friend's life is more important than a promise. If the risk is immediate, do not leave them alone. Help them connect to a helpline or take them to the nearest hospital emergency room. Involve other trusted adults or professionals.
● Offer Practical Help. In a crisis, even small tasks are overwhelming. Say, "Can I sit with you while you call the helpline?" or "I'm going to stay with you until we figure this out together."
A Final Word of Hope
Reaching out for help is a sign of profound strength, not weakness. It is the first step toward reclaiming your life from the pain. At VIMHANS, we see every day that with the right support and intervention, people not only survive these moments but go on to find meaning, joy, and hope again.
Please, use this information. Make the call. Let someone in. Your story is not over yet; the most important chapter is still to be written.