Suicide remains one of the most misunderstood public health issues of our time. Even as mental wellbeing becomes part of everyday conversation, the warning signals that precede a crisis are still routinely ignored, labelled as just another mood swing or regular stress. Mental health experts describe suicidal distress as a continuum rather than something that simply happens one day. In most cases, there are signs, some subtle, some obvious, that appear well before a person reaches crisis point.
It looks like they lost interest in favourite things, skipped social commitments , and disengagement from work or studies without explanation. Some people go quiet in spaces where they were once talkative. Others begin voicing their pain in ways that sound almost casual: calling themselves a burden, talking about wanting the pain to end, or saying they see no way out. They should never be. Another indication is a marked pullback from friends, family and activities that once brought joy. This is different from introversion. If it persists for weeks rather than days, it is not a phase to wait out. Smriti highlighted that counterintuitively, one of the most alarming signs is an unexpected sense of peace after prolonged distress. On the surface, it looks like improvement. It can sometimes mean a person has made up their mind to end their suffering. A sudden mood lift after a long low deserves attention, not relief. Parting with treasured possessions, writing letters, setting personal affairs in order, or goodbyes that feel oddly final can all be explained away as decluttering. Context matters, when these behaviours appear alongside other signs, they must not be ignored. Insomnia or excessive sleep, dramatic changes in appetite, persistent fatigue and increased alcohol or substance use are physical expressions of psychological pain. None of these alone confirms suicidal thinking, but in combination with the patterns above, they complete a picture. So do repeated statements of feeling trapped, of nothing ever changing, of there being no way out. What it asks of us is simpler. Ask the direct question, gently and without judgement: are you okay, really? Asking someone about suicidal thoughts does not plant the idea; it often opens the first honest conversation .
Because these remarks are dropped lightly into conversation, they are easily dismissed as throwaway lines, according to Smriti.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Smriti Tandon, mental health expert and co-founder of Online Chikitsa Mitra and 120by80, the healthcare platforms of Salubrious Technologies, shared signs someone may be struggling with suicidal thoughts. Also read | Mental health expert explains why good people don’t always make happy married couples “One of the earliest shifts is in communication ,” said Smriti. Noticing these signs does not require anyone to become an amateur psychiatrist, and it should not turn us into one, according to Smriti.
Helplines: Aasra: 022 2754 6669 ; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918 Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Because support cannot end with one conversation, then help them take the next step towards a qualified professional, and stay in touch after,. Listen without rushing to fix, and avoid well meaning phrases like think positive or others have it worse, which only deepen the isolation. SUICIDE HELPLINE INFO: If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
