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If you are in immediate physical danger, call 112 right away. This is India's national emergency number — it connects you to police, ambulance, and fire services, and operators can dispatch help to your location without you needing to explain everything clearly. You can call even if you cannot speak freely. Once you reach safety, contact a support helpline if you need to talk to someone. Women can also call the Women Helpline at 181 for trained support and coordination with local authorities. If you are on a college campus, go to the security desk, warden's office, or any staff member. Emergency responders in India are trained to assist people in crisis situations. Do not wait for things to escalate before calling — your safety is the priority, and help is available right now.
India has several free crisis helplines for students. iCall, operated by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), offers free counselling by trained psychology professionals — call 9152987821, Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 10 PM. Vandrevala Foundation provides 24/7 mental health crisis support in English and Hindi — call 1860-2662-345. The national emergency number 112 covers any immediate crisis. Women experiencing domestic violence or assault can call the Women Helpline at 181, available 24/7. For cybercrime including online harassment or image-based abuse, call 1930 or file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in. All these helplines are free and confidential. You do not need to be in a severe crisis to call — any time you are struggling and need to talk to someone, these services are there for you.
If you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, you are not alone and help is available right now. Call iCall TISS at 9152987821 (Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 10 PM) or Vandrevala Foundation at 1860-2662-345 (available 24/7). These are free, confidential helplines staffed by trained mental health professionals who will listen without judgment. If you feel you may act on these thoughts immediately, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. If you are on a college campus, tell a warden, counsellor, or trusted faculty member — they can help connect you to resources. Do not try to manage this alone. Suicidal thoughts are a sign that you need and deserve support right now. Reaching out is not weakness — it is the most important step you can take.
If you are worried about a friend, take it seriously and act — do not wait to see if things improve. Check in with them directly and calmly. Listen without judgment or advice. If they mention thoughts of suicide or self-harm, do not leave them alone. Stay with them and encourage them to call iCall TISS at 9152987821, or go with them to a college counsellor. If you believe they are in immediate danger, call 112 with them or on their behalf. Most colleges have a counselling centre — you can contact them for guidance on how to support someone in crisis even without naming the person. After ensuring your friend is safe, make sure you also seek support for yourself. Supporting someone in crisis is emotionally heavy and you deserve care too.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, physical assault, or sexual harassment, your safety comes first. In an immediate emergency, call 112. Women can call the Women Helpline at 181 — trained counsellors can help you create a safety plan, connect you to local shelter services, and guide you through legal options. You do not have to visit a police station in person to report domestic violence; call 112 and officers can come to your location. For sexual harassment at a college or workplace, institutions are legally required to have an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) under the POSH Act — you can file a complaint directly with them. For cybercrime including online harassment or non-consensual image sharing, call 1930. You are not alone, and there are people trained to help you navigate this safely.