Need help now? Mental health helplines in India

Call 112 if someone's life is at risk right now. That includes if you are about to harm yourself, if someone has already harmed themselves, or if someone is in danger and you cannot keep them safe. 112 is India's single number for all kinds of emergencies, run by the Ministry of Home Affairs and your state.

If you can, stay with the person while you call. Tell the call-taker where you are as exactly as you can: the area, a landmark, the building and the floor.

Tele-MANAS is the national tele-mental health helpline of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It is free, it is open day and night, every day of the week, and it works in 20 Indian languages. You can dial 14416 or 1-800-891-4416.

When you call, you are connected with a trained counsellor. They listen, try to understand what you need, and if it helps, connect you with a mental health professional. You don't need to be in a crisis to call. Feeling low, worried, unable to sleep or unable to cope are all reasons enough.

You don't need the right words. You can start with one sentence: "I'm not okay and I need to talk to someone." The person on the line will guide you from there.

It can help to say:

• what is happening right now, and since when
• whether you have thought about harming yourself, or have already done something
• whether you are alone, and where you are
• which language you would like to speak in

If talking feels impossible, ask someone you trust to sit with you and make the call together.

If you are worried about someone else, these steps from the US National Institute of Mental Health can guide you.

1. Ask. Ask directly: "Are you thinking about suicide?" Research shows that asking does not put the idea in someone's head or make things worse.
2. Be there. Listen without judging, arguing or rushing to fix things.
3. Help keep them safe. If you can do it safely, put away things they could use to harm themselves, such as medicines, pesticides or blades.
4. Help them connect. Call Tele-MANAS together, on 14416 or 1-800-891-4416, or call 112 if they are in danger right now.
5. Follow up. Stay in touch over the next days and weeks. A call or a message can make a difference.

If the person has already harmed themselves, or you cannot keep them safe, call 112 now. Do not leave them alone while you wait.

If you are not in danger but things feel heavy, you can still call Tele-MANAS on 14416 or 1-800-891-4416. You can also talk to a doctor you trust. If you are unsure who does what, our guide to counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists explains the difference.

Nari 1 is not an emergency service. A Nari health counsellor cannot respond in an emergency. If it is not urgent and you would like to talk things through, a Nari health counsellor can listen and book you with a Nari doctor.