Does asking someone about suicide put the idea in their head?

No. Asking directly and calmly, as trained helplines do on every call, gives the person permission to say out loud what they are already carrying. Most people feel relief at being asked. Avoiding the question is the risky move, not asking it.

What should I not say to someone who is depressed?

Avoid arguing them out of the feeling: 'You have so much to live for', 'Others have it worse', 'Just think positive'. These teach the person to hide the truth from you. Listen, take it seriously, and say simple things like 'I am glad you told me' and 'We will sort this out together'.

Can I call a helpline about someone else?

Yes. Tele MANAS (14416), the Vandrevala Foundation (9999666555), AASRA and iCall all take calls from worried family members and friends. Call, describe what you are seeing, and ask what to do next.

What do I do if I think the danger is immediate?

Do not leave the person alone. Call 112 or take them to the nearest hospital emergency department. If you can, remove the immediate pressure of being alone by staying with them or getting another trusted person there.

Free Help (CSR) / Mental Help / Helping someone

Mental Help · Free public service

How to help someone who is struggling

By Indraa Kumar D, founder of Apex Influence · Updated 18 October 2026 · Sources checked 18 October 2026

Someone you know has gone quiet, or said something that frightened you, or has not been themselves for weeks. You do not need training to help. You need to show up, ask plainly, listen, and help them reach trained people. This page covers each step.

Signs worth taking seriously

Withdrawing from people and plans; going silent in groups they used to enjoy.
Talk like "I am a burden", "What is the point", "Everyone would be fine without me", even said jokingly.
Big changes in sleep, appetite, drinking, or how they look after themselves.
Giving away things they care about, or suddenly settling affairs.
A strange calm after a long dark stretch. Sometimes that is relief at a dangerous decision, not recovery.

Ask the question directly

If you are worried, ask plainly and privately: "You have not seemed yourself. How are you, honestly?" And if anything they say worries you further, ask the direct question: "Are you having thoughts of ending your life?"

Asking does not put the idea in anyone's head. Trained helplines ask it on every call for a reason: it tells the person their darkest thought can be said out loud to you. Most people feel relief at finally being asked.

How to listen

Let them finish. Long pauses are fine. You do not need to fill them.
Do not argue them out of the feeling. Skip "You have so much to live for" and "Others have it worse". Those lines teach people to stop telling you the truth.
Say the simple things. "I am glad you told me." "That sounds exhausting." "You are not a burden to me." "We will sort this out together."
Do not promise secrecy before you hear the secret. If a life is at risk, the loving move is to bring in help, even if they are briefly angry about it.

Get them to trained help

Offer to call together. "Shall we call 14416 right now? I will sit with you." Dialling is the hardest step; your presence makes it smaller. All the lines on the helplines page also take calls from worried family and friends, so you can call first and ask what to do.
Help with the first appointment. Offer to find the doctor, book the slot, and go along. In depression, logistics feel like mountains.
If you fear for their safety right now: do not leave them alone. Call 112 or take them to the nearest hospital emergency department. Overreacting mildly is far better than the alternative.
Stay in touch afterwards. A short message every few days, a walk, a meal together. Recovery is slow and quiet, and steady small contact matters more than one big rescue.

Look after yourself too

Supporting someone who is struggling is heavy. You are allowed to have limits, and you are not their therapist. Share the load with other family or friends where you can, and remember the helplines take calls from carers too.

If you are thinking of ending your life, or you are afraid of what tonight could bring: call Tele MANAS on 14416 (free, Government of India, 24 hours), call 112, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Or call someone you trust and ask them to come and sit with you. You do not have to explain it well. You only have to say you are not okay.

Call 14416 (Tele MANAS, free, 24 hours)All helplines

Source: Tele MANAS, National Tele Mental Health Programme, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, telemanas.mohfw.gov.in. Checked 18 October 2026.