Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem
Close to 800 000 people die due to suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. Suicide is a global phenomenon and occurs throughout the lifespan. Effective and evidence-based interventions can be implemented at population, sub-population and individual levels to prevent suicide and suicide attempts. There are indications that for each adult who died by suicide there may have been more than 20 others attempting suicide.
Suicide isn’t selfish, it’s a person in so much pain and anguish that they can’t see a way out. If they could have the presence of mind to consider those they will leave behind, they wouldn’t be willing to kill themselves. You aren’t thinking clearly when you feel suicidal. Considering suicide goes against our survival instincts and someone with suicidal ideation needs understanding NOT judgement.
Suicide statistics
Suicide does not discriminate. Anyone of any race, gender, age, or socioeconomic status may feel suicidal at any point in their lives. Even someone who seems to be happy or to “have it all” can be vulnerable to suicide.
There are certain risk factors to be aware of, though. These are situations, conditions, and other factors that put some people at a greater risk of becoming suicidal:
- Having a mental illness, particularly depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, or conduct disorder and especially an untreated mental illness
- Having a substance use disorder
- Being seriously ill, living with a chronic or terminal illness, or being in significant, long-term pain
- Suffering from a traumatic brain injury
- Stressful life situations, especially those that are prolonged, including bullying or relationship problems
- Sudden stressful or traumatic situations, like the loss of a loved one
- Having experienced childhood trauma and abuse
- Having access to lethal means
- Being exposed to another person’s suicide
- Past suicide attempts
- A family history of suicide
Having risk factors for suicide does not mean that it is inevitable. If you or someone you care about has one or more of these, though, you need to be especially aware of and on the watch for warning signs.
Warning Signs Easy to See
When considering suicide statistics, it’s important to be aware of the common warning signs. You may see one or more of these in someone contemplating suicide. These are the signs that are generally clear and easy to observe:
- Talking about dying or wanting to die
- Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no way out of problems
- Mentioning strong feelings of guilt and shame
- Talking about not having a reason to live or that others would be better off without them
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Giving away personal items and wrapping up loose ends
- Saying goodbye to friends and family
Support for suicidal individuals
If you are feeling suicidal and you live in the UK, call The Samaritans on 116 123 and speak to someone. They will listen and be non-judgemental. Don’t become yet another suicide statistic. A problem shared is a problem halved.
United States
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
https://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Phone: 1 800 273 TALK (8255)
Lifeline Crisis Chat
https://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/gethelp/lifelinechat.aspx
Resource page on the subject to help those struggling with mental health issues and suicidal intent. See below:
Info/Resources: https://www.bridgestorecovery.com/
Worldwide
Befrienders
https://www.befrienders.org
Australia
Lifeline Australia
https://www.lifeline.org.au
Phone: 13 11 14
Kids Helpline
https://www.kidshelp.com.au
Phone: 1800 55 1800
Headspace
https://www.eheadspace.org.au
Phone: 1800 650 890
Austria
Rat auf Draht
https://rataufdraht.orf.at
Phone: 147
TelefonSeelsorge – Notruf 142
https://www.telefonseelsorge.at
Phone: 142 (24 Stunden täglich)
Email: https://onlineberatung-telefonseelsorge.at (chat & mail)
Belgium
Centrum Ter Preventie Van Zelfdoding
https://www.zelfmoord1813.be
Phone: 1813
Brazil / Portugal
CVV
https://www.cvv.org.br
Phone: 188
Email: atendimento@cvv.org.br
Canada
Kids Help Phone (for youth under 20)
Phone: 1 800 6686868
For people over 20, find a crisis centre that serves your area:
https://suicideprevention.ca/thinking-aboutsuicide/find-a-crisis-centre
Czech Republic
Linka bezpečí
www.linkabezpeci.cz
Phone: 116 111
Pražská linka důvěry
https://www.csspraha.cz/linka-duvery
Phone: 222 580 697
Linka důvěry Ostrava
https://www.mnof.cz/linka_duvery
Phone: 596 618 908
Phone: 737 267 939
Linka duševní tísně Most
https://www.mostknadeji.eu/linka-dusevni-tisne
Phone: 476 701 444
Skype: ldt.most
Linka důvěry DKC
https://dkc.cz/linka_duvery.php
Phone: 241 484 149
Skype: ld_dkc
Linka bezpečí
https://www.linkabezpeci.cz
Phone: 116111 (děti a mládež)
Denmark
Livslinien
https://www.livslinien.dk
Phone: 70 201 201
Børne
https://bornetelefonen.dk/ring
Phone: 116 111 (Child Helpline is open daily from 11:00-23:00.)
Finland
Suomen Mielenterveysseura
https://www.e-mielenterveys.fi/en/
Phone: 01019 5202
France
S.O.S Amitié
https://www.sos-amitie.org
Phone: 01 42 96 26 26
Germany
Telefonseelsorge
https://www.telefonseelsorge.de
Phone: 0800 111 0 111
Phone: 0800 111 0 222
Nummer gegen Kummer
https://www.nummergegenkummer.de
Phone: 0800 111 0 550 (adults)
Phone: 0800 111 0 333 (children)
Greece
Klimaka NGO
https://www.klimaka.org.gr
Suicide Help Greece
https://www.suicide-help.gr
Phone: 1018
Hong Kong
The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong
https://www.help4suicide.com.hk
The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong
https://www.sbhk.org.hk
Phone: 2389 2222
The Samaritans Hong Kong
https://www.samaritans.org.hk
Phone: 2896 0000
Hungary
Magyar Lelki Elsősegély Telefonszolgálatok Szövetsége
https://www.sos505.hu
Phone: 116 123
Email: sos@sos505.hu
Kek Vonal
Phone: 116-111
India
AASRA
https://www.aasra.info
Phone: 91-22-27546669
Phone: 91-22-27546667
Email: aasrahelpline@yahoo.com
Israel
ERAN
https://www.eran.org.il
Phone: Free call within Israel: 1201
Phone: Out of Israel: 972-76-8844400
SAHAR (Emotional support chat line)(Hebrew)
https://www.sahar.org.il
SAHAR (Emotional support chat line)(Arabic)
https://www.sahar.org.il/?categoryId=63068
Italy
Telefono Azzurro
www.azzurro.it
Phone: 19696
Telefono Amico
https://www.telefonoamico.it
Phone: 199 284 284
Latvia
Skalbes
https://www.skalbes.lv
Phone: 371 67222922
Phone: 371 27722292
Lithuania
Lithuanian Association of Emotional Support Lines
https://www.klausau.lt
Vaikų linija (Child line)
https://www.vaikulinija.lt
Phone: 116 111
Jaunimo linija (Youth line)
https://www.jaunimolinija.lt/laiskai/
Phone: 8 800 28888
Vilties linija (Hope line)
https://www.kpsc.lt/vilties_linija.html
Phone: 116 123
Email: vilties.linija@gmail.com
Pagalbos moterims linija (Women’s line)
https://www.moteriai.lt
Phone: 8 800 66366
Email: pagalba@moteriai.lt
Linija Doverija (Support for Russian-speaking clients)
Phone: 8 800 77277
Luxembourg
SOS Détresse – Hëllef iwwer Telefon
https://www.454545.lu
Phone: 454545
Kanner-Jugendtelefon
https://www.kjt.lu
Phone: 116 111
Mexico
Consejo Ciudadano
https://consejociudadanomx.org
Phone: 55 5533-5533
Instituto Hispanoamericano de Suicidologia, A.C
Phone: +5255 46313300
Email: info@suicidiologia.com.mx
Netherlands
Foundation 113Online
https://www.113online.nl
Phone: 0900-113 0 113
New Zealand
National Depression Initiative
https://www.depression.org.nz
The Lowdown
https://www.thelowdown.co.nz
Phone: 0800 111 757
SMS: 5626
Email: team@thelowdown.co.nz
Youthline https://www.youthline.co.nz
Phone: 0800 376633
SMS: 234
Email: talk@youthline.co.nz
Email: parenttalk@youthline.co.nz
Norway
Kirkens SOS
https://www.kirkens-sos.no
Phone: 815 33 300
Poland
Fundacja Dzieci Niczyje
https://www.116111.pl/napisz
Phone: 116 111
Serbia
Centar Srce
https://www.centarsrce.org
Phone: 0800 300 303
Email: vanja@centarsrce.org
Singapore
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS)
https://samaritans.org.sg
Phone: 1800 221 4444
Email: pat@samaritans.org.sg
South Africa
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG)
https://www.sadag.org
Phone: 0800 567 567
SMS: 31393
South Korea
중앙자살예방센터 (Korea Suicide Prevention Center)
www.spckorea.or.kr
Phone: +82 2-2203-0053
Email: spc@spckorea.or.kr
HopeClick
https://www.hopeclick.or.kr
보건복지부 보건복지콜센터 (Ministry of Health & Welfare Call Center)
Phone: 129 (24시간 위기상담 / 24 hour hotline)
정신건강증진센터 정신건강위기상담전화 (Mental Health Center Crisis Counseling)
Phone: 1577-0199 (24시간 위기상담 / 24 hour hotline)
Spain
Teléfono de la Esperanza
https://telefonodelaesperanza.org
Phone: 902500002
Sweden
Mind
https://mind.se/
Switzerland
Tel 143 – La Main Tendue – Die Dargebotene Hand – Telefono Amico
https://www.143.ch
Phone: 143
Taiwan
Taiwan Suicide Prevention Center
https://www.tspc.tw
Phone: 0800 788 995
Email: tspc-fb@tsos.org.tw
United Kingdom / Ireland
Samaritans
https://www.samaritans.org
Phone: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Source: https://faq.whatsapp.com/general/security-and-privacy/global-suicide-hotline-resources/
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
