Break the Silence: How to Support Someone With Suicidal Ideation

In 2022, over 171,000 people died by suicide in India. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need to address suicidal ideation and provide timely support.

Suicidal ideation can be characterized by recurring thoughts or ideas around death or ending one’s life. People with suicidal ideation can have either active or passive thoughts. Passive suicidal ideation refers to having thoughts about suicide without having any active plan to actually end one’s life. On the other hand, active suicidal ideation involves having a plan to carry out self-harm or suicide. This may include thinking of specific methods, withdrawing from friends and family, or leaving a note.

Stressors from various contexts of one’s life, like financial distress, hefty debts, unemployment, family disputes, rejection, and loneliness, as well as emotional and physical abuse, may lead individuals to have suicidal ideations or thoughts. Individuals with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, psychosis, or substance use disorders are at a greater risk of wanting to end their lives (WebMD, 2024).

In this article, we will be documenting ways in which one can support someone who has suicidal thoughts:

How to Support Someone Who Has Suicidal Thoughts

Supporting someone with suicidal thoughts requires empathy, patience, and a nonjudgmental approach. Knowing what to say and what to avoid can make a crucial difference in helping them feel seen and supported.

1. Ask

Talking to a loved one about suicidal thoughts can be deeply sensitive and difficult. However, creating space for open conversation can help the person feel heard, find support, build a safety plan, and reconnect with reasons to keep going and feel better. Studies suggest that acknowledging and talking about suicidal ideation with people at risk can reduce suicidal thoughts and support their overall mental health and well-being (National Library of Medicine, 2014). This goes against the common myth that asking someone about suicide puts the idea in their head. That belief is not only false but dangerous. This is a very dangerous and common myth regarding suicide.

Ask questions sensitively, but still be direct with anyone you think might be emotionally distressed or show signs of suicidal ideation.

Do you feel that life is not worth living? Do you think about harming or hurting yourself? Do you have a plan to end your life? How long have you been having these thoughts?

Remember, asking is just the first step — listening without judgment is equally important.

2. Be There

Sometimes all we need is a listening ear. Make them feel heard, seen, and acknowledged. Assure them that you are by their side and always a call away. Let them know they matter to you and that you’re here to support them, not to judge or solve everything. Avoid assumptions or oversimplifying their pain. The reasons for contemplating suicide can be complex, ranging from life stressors to suicidal thoughts linked with psychiatric conditions like depression and substance use, among others. We may not always be able to understand people’s reasons for distress completely, but it is important to acknowledge their experiences and thoughts. Be there for your loved one—whether it is being in the same physical space, hearing them out, or just sitting with them, even in silence sometimes.

Avoid saying things that are unhelpful and can be triggers, for instance:

Just get over it. It’s all in your head. You’re overreacting. You’re making this bigger than it is. Look at how difficult other people have it; you’re still in a better position. I understand exactly how you’re feeling; you’ll overcome it.

3. Help Them Stay Safe

Safety is key. Impulsive decisions can lead to suicide. Ensure no harmful objects are in their surroundings, like sharp objects, poisonous materials, or weapons. Distance from harmful objects can allow them to take a pause to reflect before engaging in any form of self-harm. Encourage the person to think of a safety plan for when they have suicidal thoughts, like reaching out to a loved one, doing an activity that helps them calm down, taking some deep breaths, or having a bath. If you feel overwhelmed or unsure about how to support someone with suicidal thoughts, trust your instincts and consider reaching out to a mental health professional or someone you trust for guidance and support.

4. Help Them Connect

Let them know they’re not alone, and reassure them that support is available. If possible, involve someone they trust who can be physically present and provide comfort. You can gently offer to go with them to a mental health appointment, whether with a therapist or psychiatrist. Sharing resources like suicide helplines or support groups can also be helpful, showing them there are people and communities ready to support them through this. Signs of suicidal ideation should not be taken lightly, and professional help should be sought immediately.

Here are some helpline numbers:

Samaritans Mumbai: +91 8422984528

Vandrevala Foundation – +91 9999666555

iCall, TISS: +91 9152987821

5. Follow Up

A quick check-in may only take a few minutes, but it can make a powerful difference, sometimes even saving a life. Continue to be in touch with the person experiencing suicidal thoughts. Ask them how they’re feeling and doing at regular intervals. Ongoing support from friends and family makes the person with distressing thoughts and suicidal ideation feel a sense of belonging and purpose. Research shows that when follow-up by mental health care providers is part of the process of care post-inpatient services, the risk of suicide and further suicidal ideation may be reduced (National Library of Medicine, 2001).

You Can Make a Difference

Suicide can be prevented. Be there for your near and dear ones. Listening without passing judgment can significantly contribute to saving someone’s life.

Your words and presence might be what keeps someone holding on. Never underestimate the power of simply being there.