Treat thoughts of killing someone along with yourself as an emergency: leave, hand over dangerous items, and call 12356
The interval between an impulse and action can be short. In interviews with 82 suicide-attempt survivors, 47.6% reported no more than ten minutes from the first thought to the attempt. The immediate task is to create distance from vehicles, knives, gas controls, ropes, and other means, and get through the crisis with another person’s help. Leave the conflict, hand over keys or dangerous objects safely, and contact China’s psychological-support line, 12356.
What it takes
Free. Acknowledging that you are not safe right now and handing over control of dangerous items can be difficult.
What you may gain
In a single-hospital study interviewing 82 suicide-attempt survivors within three days of admission, 47.6% described a ten-minute-or-shorter interval from first thought to action. A review of ten years of suicide-prevention research found growing evidence for restricting access to lethal means. Restrictions on analgesic availability were associated with a 43% reduction in related suicides; barriers at jumping hotspots with an 86% reduction (79%–91%). Creating distance from readily available means buys time for the immediate impulse to pass and help to arrive. China’s national 12356 psychological-assistance number has been in use since 1 May 2025, with local lines required to operate at least 18 hours daily.
Context & considerations
Grade B reflects an extrapolation from suicide research to impulses to harm other people; the cited studies did not directly test the latter. The timing study had only 82 participants at one hospital. While in this state, do not drive or work a shift in which you are responsible for others’ safety; arrange a handover. For thoughts of harming yourself, see contacting 12356 during a suicidal crisis. For initial steps when mood is low, see chapter 3, entry 19.
Research & references
Deisenhammer EA et al. (2009). The duration of the suicidal process: how much time is left for intervention between consideration and accomplishment of a suicide attempt? Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.07m03904; Zalsman G et al. (2016). Suicide prevention strategies revisited: 10-year systematic review. Lancet Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30030-X; National Health Commission (2024). Notice on use of the national 12356 psychological-assistance number, document 2024 No. 259. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202412/content_6994470.htm.