• Published on: Sep 11, 2021
  • 3 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

What Should You Do If Someone Tells You They Are Thinking About Suicide?

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What should you do if someone tells you they are thinking about suicide?

First, remember that suicide is almost always an impulsive decision, and it can be prevented if the person gets immediate treatment. Second, don't leave the person alone. Keep them talking, let them know you care about them and give them someone to call for help. Third, try not to make any promises to the person as they will most likely break those as well. Fourth, encourage them to seek outside professional help such as a hotline or psychiatric hospitalization-inpatient program which usually requires a referral from a physician who knows the individual well enough to feel comfortable making this recommendation.

Fifth and last but not least important- remember that everyone has good days and bad days! Sometimes things just seem impossible when you.

If someone tells you they are thinking about suicide, it's very important to understand that most suicidal people think about dying and not actually doing it. Suicide is a plan and the person with the plan is thinking through how they will do this. This means we can increase their safety by showing we care and taking practical steps to manage risk. For every "I want to kill myself" statement, there might be an underlying message of significant despair or hopelessness up for your interpretation which you need to pay attention to as these may lead you to a productive dialogue where hope can be reignited.

Being calm and reassuring and providing an emergency contact and encouraging them to call should be your first response. This may not work though so it's important you have other follow-up steps in place.

1) Educate yourself about this situation so that you know how best to help the person in crisis, talk with a specialist if necessary.

2) Avoid aggressive or hostile reactions, instead, try being empathetic while not dismissing their feelings because suicidal thoughts are always a sign of extreme emotional distress.

3) Let the person know they can trust you to listen without judgment before gradually guiding them towards professional help - offer reassurance that treatment is only temporary but necessary for their wellbeing

Suicidal thoughts may come from a sudden, strong feeling of despair and hopelessness. It can be as if an instant storm has been dumped on your head, drenching you with the cold, dark water of death. You might feel as if no one will ever or could ever understand how bad it seems to you right now. All this weight feels so heavy and out of control, that suicide starts to seem like a way out. But there is hope!

Acknowledge the person's feelings by telling them "I'm sorry that you're going through this". Trying to say their name to get their attention and then ask them how they are doing.

If the person is at imminent risk, call Emergency.  Seek medical attention or go to a hospital for self-care services.  Offer to stay with them or call for help if they refuse both options. Speak calmly and clearly, listen to their troubles without judgment, be patient and understanding. Let them know you want to help and that they are not alone through these challenges (or tell them anything else comforting). If they seem like they'll be OK on their own but could use some nonjudgmental support later that day or tomorrow, offer to take care of them then. If you're feeling intimidated by this situation (thinking "I can't do this!"), please remember that this person came

One of the most dangerous situations is when a suicidal person points a gun at themselves while they are sitting in front of you. In that situation, get on your knees and then slowly touch it from behind. By touching the gun from behind, there's no chance he will suddenly turn around and shoot before you have time to react. Tell him clearly that you're getting the bullet away from him, so he doesn't hurt anyone else. If he wants to talk about what's going on or if he shows any interest in giving up, try to listen calmly for a while without criticizing or interrupting them too much.

Listen to their thoughts and feelings without judgment or judgment. Reassure the person that you will do anything they need you to do if they continue with their suicidal thoughts.

Help them consider a way out of it by giving them a number for a hotline or a crisis line, as well as the option to call an emergency. Reach out to someone yourself who can help calm your nerves and may know what strategies might be helpful in this situation if it ever happens again.

1. Remove any objects that could be used in a suicide attempt from the person's reach, including guns, knives, razors, medications, and other potentially lethal items.

2. Calmly tell them they don't want to do it for any given reasons you can think of--because life is worth living no matter how difficult or painful various aspects may be at times because there are people who care about them and will miss them if they die by suicide.

3. Refuse to leave until someone else arrives who can talk with the person further and assess their mental state.

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Replace Junk with Subscription Snack Packs: A Practical Approach to Preventive Nutrition in India

Replace Junk with Subscription Snack Packs: A Practical Approach to Preventive Nutrition in India

India is witnessing a growing shift toward healthier eating habits, yet junk food consumption continues to rise across all age groups. According to ICMR and NFHS-5 data, high-calorie packaged snacks, sugary beverages and deep-fried foods contribute significantly to obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular risk. Replacing these items with nutritious snack alternatives is one of the simplest yet most effective steps toward preventive wellness.

Subscription snack packs offer a structured, convenient and affordable way to transition from unhealthy snacking to balanced nutrition. SecondMedic promotes this approach as part of a broader preventive health ecosystem that focuses on long-term behavioural change rather than temporary diets.

 

Why Indians are Choosing Healthy Snack Subscriptions

1. Convenience in fast-paced lifestyles

Urban and semi-urban households often depend on quick, accessible snacks to keep up with busy schedules. Healthy subscription packs bring pre-portioned nutrition directly to the doorstep.

2. Rising health concerns

India now ranks among the world’s highest in:

  • Diabetes prevalence

  • Childhood obesity

  • Hypertension

  • High cholesterol
     

Replacing junk food is essential for reducing these long-term risks.

3. Growing awareness of clean eating

People are moving toward:

  • Low-sugar

  • Low-sodium

  • High-fibre

  • High-protein

  • Non-fried
    snack alternatives.

     

4. Cost-effectiveness

Contrary to belief, balanced snack packs cost less than repeated purchases of unhealthy packaged foods.

 

What Makes Subscription Snack Packs Healthier?

Healthy snack packs are curated for balanced nutrition:

• Nuts and seeds

Rich in healthy fats, fibre and minerals.

• Millet-based snacks

Low GI, nutrient-dense and suitable for diabetics.

• Dried fruits

Provide natural sweetness without refined sugar.

• Roasted chana and legumes

Excellent plant-based protein sources.

• Low-sugar bars

Made from oats, dates, nuts and seeds.

• Whole-grain crackers

Better than refined flour biscuits.

• Herbal teas

Support digestion and relaxation.

These snacks reduce cravings while supporting metabolic health.

 

Why Junk Food Needs Replacement

• High in trans fats

Linked to heart disease and inflammation.

• Excess sugar

Promotes insulin resistance, weight gain and metabolic syndrome.

• Refined flour

Lacks fibre and elevates glucose rapidly.

• Additives & preservatives

May contribute to long-term digestive and metabolic issues.

• Instant cravings

Junk foods trigger overeating by stimulating dopamine pathways.

Replacing them with healthier options breaks this cycle.

 

How Subscription Snack Packs Support Preventive Healthcare

1. Portion control

Pre-measured servings reduce the risk of overeating.

2. Balanced nutrition

Snack packs provide fibre, healthy fats and micronutrients missing from typical Indian diets.

3. Reduced decision fatigue

Users do not have to search for healthy options daily.

4. Behavioural consistency

Weekly or monthly packs promote long-term habit formation.

5. Support for chronic disease management

Especially helpful for:

  • Diabetes

  • PCOS

  • Thyroid issues

  • Heart disease
     

SecondMedic integrates snack guidance into dietitian consultations and AI-driven nutrition analysis.

 

The Role of AI Health Guide in Smarter Snacking

SecondMedic’s AI Health Guide provides:

• Calorie and nutrient insights

Evaluates daily intake based on user habits.

• Snack recommendations

Based on medical conditions, preferences and goals.

• Craving pattern analysis

Identifies triggers for unhealthy eating.

• Personalised preventive plans

Aligns snacking habits with heart, gut and metabolic health.

This makes snack substitution easier and more sustainable.

 

How to Transition from Junk Food to Healthy Snack Packs

Step 1: Identify your biggest cravings

Sugary, salty, crunchy or fried?

Step 2: Find healthier alternatives

For example:

  • Replace chips ? roasted makhana

  • Replace sweets ? dates + nuts

  • Replace biscuits ? whole-grain crackers
     

Step 3: Use subscription packs for structure

Pre-curated boxes guide behaviour change.

Step 4: Track progress

Energy levels improve within 2-4 weeks.

Step 5: Build long-term habits

Consistency leads to metabolic improvement.

 

Conclusion

Replacing junk food with subscription snack packs is an effective and convenient step toward preventive wellness in India. By combining healthier ingredients, balanced nutrition and consistent delivery, subscription packs help individuals make better choices daily. With expert guidance and AI-driven insights from SecondMedic, these changes become sustainable, personalised and impactful for long-term health.

 

References

• ICMR - Dietary Patterns & Junk Food Consumption Study
• NFHS-5 - Nutrition Deficiencies & Lifestyle Data India
• NITI Aayog - Preventive Health & Nutrition Strategy
• WHO - Healthy Diet & Non-Communicable Disease Guidelines
• Lancet - Consumption Patterns & Cardiometabolic Risk
• Statista India - Healthy Snacking Trends
• EY-FICCI - Consumer Behaviour Toward Preventive Health

See all

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