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
- Ask directly. "Are you having thoughts of ending your life?" — asking is safe.
- Listen without judging. "That sounds really hard" beats "don't think like that".
- Don't leave them alone. Stay with them.
- Remove dangerous objects.
- Phone together. Call 109 or 1577-0199 with them.
- 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