Suicide remains the leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 29 in Singapore. And it doesn't have to be this way.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 995 or go to the nearest hospital A&E department. Stay with the person until help arrives.
A mental health emergency is an emergency. Especially when over 400 suicides were recorded in Singapore in 2024 and over 720,000, globally. Behind every statistic is a person, as well as their families, friends, and loved ones dealing with the loss. Don’t wait to engage in open conversations about suicide, because changing the narrative may change a life.
About World Suicide Prevention Day 2026
World Suicide Prevention Day takes place on 10 September 2026. This year marks the third and final year of the “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” campaign, which encourages individuals, communities and governments to have open, honest conversations about suicide and suicidal behaviour.
Changing the narrative begins with talking about our mental well-being, worries and overwhelming thoughts without judgement. This is a serious topic that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Pressures at school, work and home, relationship difficulties, loneliness and other challenges can sometimes leave a person feeling overwhelmed or hopeless.
While it is easy to say, “Just ask and we’ll help”, it can be incredibly difficult for someone to put up their hand to say, “I need help.” Knowing the warning signs, starting an honest conversation and connecting someone with professional support can make a difference.
We hope this guide helps you recognise when someone may need support, respond with empathy and connect them with the right help.
Suicide statistics in Singapore and worldwide
Suicide statistics in Singapore
According to the latest finalised figures shared by Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), 441 suicide deaths were recorded in Singapore in 2024.
- Suicide remained the leading cause of death among people aged 10–29 in Singapore.
- There were 441 suicide deaths in Singapore in 2024, an increase of 1.6% from 2023.
- Suicide was the second-leading cause of death among adults aged 30–39.
- Suicide deaths among adults aged 30–39 increased by 50%, from 66 deaths in 2023 to 99 in 2024.
- Males accounted for 65.8% of suicide deaths, or 290 of the 441 deaths recorded in 2024.
Suicide statistics worldwide
According to the World Health Organization:
- More than 720,000 people die by suicide around the world every year.
- Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally.
- For every suicide, there are many more suicide attempts.
- Approximately 73% of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries.
- Suicide is influenced by a complex combination of social, cultural, biological, psychological and environmental factors.
What are the warning signs of suicide?
The signs that someone may be experiencing suicidal thoughts are not always easy to recognise. Some people may mask how they feel, while changes in a teenager’s mood or behaviour can sometimes be mistaken for a typical part of adolescence. If you need more information, check out MindSG’s comprehensive guide to spotting warning signs in Teens.
Samaritans of Singapore recommends beginning with a simple question about the person you are concerned about: “What is this person going through right now?”
It may be upcoming exams, a relationship or friendship that has broken down, or a friendship affected by repatriation. Other major changes, such as welcoming a new baby into the family or dealing with an international move, can also feel overwhelming.
Understanding what someone is experiencing can provide important context. However, there is rarely a single cause of suicide, and warning signs may appear in the way a person talks, behaves or responds emotionally.
Changes in what a person says
Listen for statements that express:
- Feeling like a burden to others, such as, “My family would be better off without me.”
- Feeling trapped, hopeless or in unbearable emotional pain.
- Believing there is no reason to live or no way for the situation to improve.
- Talking about death, suicide or wanting to disappear.
- Saying goodbye or speaking as though they will not be around in the future.
Changes in behaviour
Behaviours that may indicate someone needs urgent support include:
- Giving away treasured possessions or making unexpected farewell messages.
- Looking for information about suicide or making preparations to end their life.
- Writing suicide notes or farewell messages, including in emails, diaries or social media posts.
- Engaging in self-harm behaviours.
- Withdrawing from family, friends and usual activities.
- Suddenly putting personal affairs in order.
- Taking unusual risks or behaving recklessly.
Changes in mood
Emotional changes can include:
- Extreme sadness, anger, irritability or emotional outbursts.
- Feelings of shame, humiliation, hopelessness or anxiety.
- Loss of interest in activities they usually enjoy.
- Significant changes in sleeping or eating patterns.
- A sudden sense of calm or relief after a period of severe distress.
A warning sign does not necessarily mean that a person is considering suicide, but noticeable or concerning changes should not be dismissed. Always take any mention of suicide seriously.
How to help someone experiencing suicidal thoughts
It is normal to feel frightened or unsure of what to say when someone tells you they are thinking about suicide. You do not need to be a trained counsellor or have all the answers. Your role is to listen, take the person seriously and help them reach appropriate support.
The following guidance is based on recommendations from Samaritans of Singapore and HealthHub’s MindSG.
1. Ask directly and calmly
If you are concerned, ask the person directly whether they are thinking about suicide. You could say:
- “You’ve seemed overwhelmed lately. How are you coping?”
- “Sometimes when people feel this much pain, they think about suicide. Are you having thoughts like that?”
- “Are you thinking about ending your life?”
Asking about suicide does not put the idea into someone’s head. A direct but compassionate question can give them permission to talk honestly about what they are experiencing.
2. Listen without judging
Give the person your full attention and allow them to speak at their own pace. Acknowledge that their pain is real, even if you do not fully understand what they are going through.
Avoid interrupting, lecturing, comparing their experience with someone else’s or telling them to “look on the bright side”. Statements such as “You have so much to live for” or “Think about what this would do to your family” may make them feel more guilty or misunderstood.
Instead, try saying:
- “Thank you for telling me.”
- “I’m here with you.”
- “That sounds incredibly difficult.”
- “Let’s find someone who can help us through this.”
3. Take every mention of suicide seriously
Do not dismiss suicidal thoughts as attention-seeking, manipulation or something the person will simply grow out of. Even if the person later says they were joking, it is safer to check in and seek professional guidance.
Do not promise to keep suicidal thoughts a secret. Explain that you care about the person too much to handle the situation alone and need to involve someone who can help.
4. Prioritise immediate safety
If you believe the person may be in immediate danger:
- Stay with them and do not leave them alone.
- Call 995 or take them to the nearest hospital A&E department.
- Contact a parent, guardian, trusted adult or healthcare professional where appropriate.
- Reduce access to anything they might use to harm themselves, if you can do so safely.
If you are unsure how urgent the situation is, call Samaritans of Singapore at 1767 or national mindline at 1771 for guidance.
5. Help them connect with professional support
Offer to sit with the person while they call or message a helpline. You can also help them make an appointment with a doctor, counsellor or mental-health professional, or accompany them to the appointment.
For a child or teenager, involve a trusted adult such as a parent, caregiver, teacher, school counsellor or healthcare professional. If the first person approached does not provide adequate support, keep seeking help from another responsible adult or service.
6. Continue checking in
Support should not end after the immediate crisis has passed. Send a message, make a call or arrange to spend time together. Regular, genuine check-ins can remind the person that they are not alone and that someone continues to care about how they are doing.
Common questions and myths about suicide
Myths about suicide can deepen stigma and prevent people from seeking help. Having open, responsible conversations allows people to talk about their experiences and access support sooner.
Does asking about suicide encourage suicidal behaviour?
No. Asking calmly and directly shows that you care and gives the person permission to talk openly about what they are experiencing. It can also create an opportunity to connect them with support.
Does suicide happen entirely on impulse and therefore cannot be prevented?
Suicidal crises can develop in different ways, but warning signs and changes in behaviour may provide opportunities for intervention. Some suicides are planned, some may happen when a trigger tipped the scale. Recognising distress, taking suicidal thoughts seriously and connecting someone with timely support are important parts of suicide prevention.
Do people experiencing suicidal thoughts simply want to die?
A person experiencing suicidal thoughts may feel desperate to end unbearable emotional pain and unable to see another way forward. It’s not that they want to die, they want relief from the pain of what they are going through. Suicide, to them, looks like the only way out. With appropriate care and support, the intensity of these thoughts can change and the person can find other ways to cope.
Can you always tell when someone is considering suicide?
No. Suicide does not have a particular “look”. Someone may appear cheerful, successful or calm while struggling internally. This is why it is important to check in when you notice changes and to create space for honest conversations about mental health.
24-hour suicide and mental-health helplines in Singapore
You do not need to wait until World Suicide Prevention Day to reach out. You also do not need to know exactly what to say before calling or messaging a helpline.
- Samaritans of Singapore: Call 1767 or WhatsApp CareText at 9151 1767. Both services are available 24 hours a day for people in crisis, experiencing suicidal thoughts or affected by suicide.
- National mindline 1771: Call 1771, WhatsApp +65 6669 1771 or use the online webchat. This confidential mental-health support service is available 24 hours a day.
If there is an immediate risk of harm, call 995 or go to the nearest hospital A&E department.
Other mental-health and counselling services in Singapore
These services provide counselling, mental-health assessments or specialised support. They are not substitutes for emergency services.
- Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800 283 7019. Its toll-free helpline provides mental-health information and assistance from 9am–6pm on weekdays, excluding public holidays.
- CHAT: +65 6493 6500 or +65 6493 6501. CHAT provides mental-health assessments and support for young people aged 16–30. Walk-in assessments are available at CHAT Hub at *SCAPE from Monday to Saturday; it is closed on Sundays and public holidays.
- Tinkle Friend: 1800 2744 788. This service supports primary-school children aged 13 and below. Its helpline operates from 2.30–5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
- Counselling and Care Centre: +65 6536 6366. Call during its operating hours to enquire about counselling appointments.
- Singapore Counselling Centre: +65 6339 5411. Counselling appointments are available in person and online.
Every conversation matters. By listening without judgement, taking signs of distress seriously and helping someone reach professional support, we can contribute to a safer and more compassionate community.
If you are struggling, please reach out to Samaritans of Singapore at 1767 or national mindline at 1771. You deserve support, and you do not have to face this alone.
