Suicidal Behavior (Self-Harm)
Suicidal Behavior
(Self-Harm)
Suicidal behavior, also known as self-harm, is a form of self-destructive behavior in which an individual directs aggression toward their own body or mind.
It includes suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, or acts of self-harm, often as a result of intense emotional distress, depression, anxiety, or extreme life circumstances, and can lead to permanent physical or psychological harm.
Where you Find it
Self-directed violence is a complex phenomenon that encompasses a range of thoughts and behaviors, from self-destructive thoughts to acts of self-harm or suicide attempts. In the social sciences and public health, it is approached as the result of the interaction of many factors, such as mental distress, experiences of loss or violence, social isolation, financial difficulties, and limited access to mental health services.
Suicidality – A Statistical Overview
Global picture and the situation in Greece
Sources WHO Suicide Worldwide 2021 / Global Health Estimates IHME / Lancet Public Health 2025 – ELSTAT – Klimaka – Eurostat. Indicative figures; verify before publication.
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~727,000 suicide deaths worldwide each year. About one death every 43 seconds.
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-35% fall in the global rate since 2000. Progress – but not fast enough for the 2030 targets.
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73% of suicides in low- & middle-income coutries. Where most of the world’s population lives and resources are scarce.
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Note: Under-reporting is substantial; true figures are likely higher. For every suicide there are many attempts.
Prevention steps
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Notice the warning signs
Pay attention to changes such as:
talking about wanting to die, being a burden, or having no reason to live;
withdrawal from friends and activities;
giving away possessions;
increased substance use;
dramatic mood changes;
sleeping too much or too little;
or saying goodbye as if for the last time.A sudden calm after a period of deep distress can also be a warning sign.
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Start the conversation
Approach the person privately, with time and without distractions.
Express care using observations rather than judgment (“I’ve noticed you’ve seemed really down lately, and I’m worried about you”).
The key message for the public is that listening matters more than having the right words.
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Ask directly about suicide
This is the step people most fear, so it deserves emphasis: asking someone directly whether they are thinking about suicide does not plant the idea or increase risk.
Research consistently shows the opposite — it often brings relief and opens the door to help.
Suggest plain wording: “Are you thinking about suicide?” or “Are you thinking about ending your life?”
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Listen without judgment
Let the person talk. Take what they say seriously, avoid arguing, minimizing (“it’s not that bad”), or rushing to fix things.
Validate the emotion without endorsing suicide as a solution. Staying calm and present is itself protective.
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Reduce immediate danger
If the person may be in immediate danger, help create distance from anything they could use to harm themselves, and don’t leave them alone.
This is where you encourage connecting them to emergency help right away.
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Connect them to support
Help bridge the person to professional help with a doctor, mental health professional, or a crisis line.
Offer practical support: help making a call, finding a service, or accompanying them to an appointment.
Make the handoff as concrete as possible rather than a vague “you should talk to someone.” Staying in contact after the immediate moment matters. A simple check-in message or call in the following days reinforces that the person is not alone and is linked to lower risk.
Staying in contact after the immediate moment matters. A simple check-in message or call in the following days reinforces that the person is not alone and is linked to lower risk.
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COMMUNICATE YOUR CONCERNS WITH A SPECIALIST
1018 – 24-hour Suicide Hotline is the first and only crisis intervention and support telephone line in Greece for the prevention of suicides.
It operates with the support and supervision of the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity, on a twenty-four-hour basis, seven days a week and accepts calls from all over Greece, with a local charge.
The calls are anonymous and confidential, and the callers have the possibility for a direct meeting with a specialist within 24 hours.
The helpline is specifically for people thinking of committing suicide, people who have attempted suicide in the past, people with self-destructive behavior, and people who experience loss or worry about someone they are about.
How to ask for help
Organizations, helplines, and support resources.