Helping someone in crisis

Asking "are you thinking of ending your life?" does not increase the risk.

Recognising the signs

• Saying "I want to disappear", "I want it all to end"
• Putting affairs in order or giving away treasured things
• Sudden goodbyes
• Drinking more, sleeping less
• Going quiet and avoiding people
• Just after a major loss — divorce, job loss, bereavement, debt

How to help

1. Ask directly. "Are you having thoughts of ending your life?" — asking is safe.
2. Listen without judging. "That sounds really hard" beats "don't think like that".
3. Don't leave them alone. Stay with them.
4. Remove dangerous objects.
5. Phone together. Call 109 or 1577-0199 with them.
6. Get a commitment. Even "I won't do anything right now" matters.

What not to do

• Brushing it off with "it's nothing", "everyone struggles"
• Keeping a promise of secrecy — life at risk is the exception.
• Arguing or trying to persuade
• Carrying it alone — helpers get exhausted too.

Looking after yourself afterwards

• Being alongside someone's crisis takes a toll on you too.
• You may ask for counselling for yourself on 1577-0199.
• Don't try to carry the responsibility alone — connecting them to professionals is the best help.

Where to go

• 109 suicide prevention line (24 hours)
• 1577-0199 mental health helpline (24 hours)
• 1577-1366 Danuri Call Centre (multilingual)
• 119 when there is immediate danger
• Your local mental health welfare centre

Questions people ask

Won't asking plant the idea? No. Asking directly lowers the risk. Giving them a chance to speak helps.

I don't know what to say. "I want to hear what's going on for you" is enough. You don't need solutions.

I can't reach them. If you suspect immediate danger, tell 112 or 119. They can trace a location and take protective steps.

A foreign colleague is struggling. Language and isolation compound a crisis. Point them to 1577-1366 (multilingual) and local migrant organisations. See immigrant-community.

Take care

Don't stay silent because you were asked to keep it secret. Where life is at stake, telling someone is right. You may face resentment later — but they have to be alive to have that conversation.

Related

suicidal-thoughts · mental-crisis · suicide-prevention · mental-health-welfare · panic-attack

Source

Korea Foundation for Suicide Prevention www.kfsp.or.kr / As of 2026-08