The Message to the Team – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do
From the book – Chapter 18: Mental-Health Emergency and Safety
The Message to the Team
Dev, 24, a colleague of Mira's in Mumbai, sends a late message that says, "Tell the team I am sorry for everything. I won't be a problem any more." Mira has noticed he has been withdrawn and has given away some of his belongings. Her stomach drops.
She calls him at once. He answers quietly. She says, "I got your message and I am worried. Are you thinking of ending your life?" After a long silence, he says yes. She stays calm, thanks him for telling her and asks where he is. He is at home alone.
What this story explains
Recognising suicide risk and responding quickly means listening, asking directly, not leaving the person alone and getting immediate professional help.
How to recognise it
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Statements about being a burden or wanting to disappear.
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Giving away belongings or saying goodbye.
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Withdrawal and sudden calm after deep distress.
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Hopelessness, sleep and mood changes.
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Previous attempts or major recent loss.
What to do
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Take any hint seriously.
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Ask directly and calmly about suicide.
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Stay with the person and keep them safe.
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Remove or secure anything that could be used for harm.
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Call the local emergency service or go to the nearest hospital.
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Involve trusted family or friends.
Do and don’t
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Take every warning seriously. | Do not leave them alone. |
| Stay with the person. | Do not promise secrecy. |
| Ask directly. | Do not argue or shame. |
| Remove means of harm. | Do not wait to see if it passes. |
| Get immediate help. | Do not assume asking makes it worse. |
Read the full chapter – Chapter 18: Mental-Health Emergency and Safety
Stories from real life
- The Night the Neighbour Stopped Sleeping – Mrs Dsouza, 45, in Bengaluru, had been unwell for years and stopped her medicine last month. For four days she has not slept, believes the neighbours…
- Too Much, Too Fast – At a college party in Goa, Kunal, 20, drinks heavily after his friends dare him. Later he is slumped on a sofa, hard to wake, breathing…
- Four Lines on a Card – After a hospital stay, Anjali, 32, in Delhi has made it through a very dark week. Her counsellor suggests building a safety plan together on one…
- The Sixteen-Year-Old’s Notebook – Sameer's mother, Anita, 44, in Pune, found her son Sameer's notebook with lines about being a burden and wanting to disappear. He is 16, quiet, and…
More on this topic: Mental health crisis and suicide prevention – what to do
More questions
- The Night the Neighbour Stopped Sleeping – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do
- Too Much, Too Fast – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do
- Four Lines on a Card – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do
- The Sixteen-Year-Old's Notebook – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do
- Why emergency knowledge is crucial?
- Understanding recognising suicide risk – mental-health emergencies
- What to do if someone may be suicidal?
- Listen and validate – what to do if someone may be suicidal
- Ask directly about suicide – what to do if someone may be suicidal
- Seek immediate professional help – what to do if someone may be suicidal