Why do people take extreme steps in life- suicide ? How can we help us and our loved ones to prevent in taking such extreme decisions? News of suicide – of family, friends, our near and dear ones, celebrities always comes as a shock to us. It is not easy to hear this sad news. Each one of us starts thinking for reasons which made that person took this extreme step in life. It is very easy for people around to advice -to be happy, be stress-free, enjoy the present moment, think of family before extreme steps. Who on this earth don’t want to be happy? Who don’t want to think of their family, loved ones? Who doesn’t want to enjoy life and remain stress-free? Is it easy to take this extreme step of ending life an easy decision? So when answer is no, what makes people take such extreme decisions? Such extreme threatening decisions are usually not taken overnight. There is lots of thinking process put behind such painful steps. Reasons for taking such extreme decisions: It is often more than one reason which brings such severe emotional reactions to situations/events/people around us. One important and leading cause is depression- severe internal emotional pain where person feels hopeless, worthless, helpless and only way to relieve pain is to end life. Traumatic events like childhood sexual abuse, verbal physical abuse, sudden deaths of loved ones are at high risk of low self-esteem and loneliness. Drugs like alcohol cannabis opioids which are used to overcome stress gradually increases stress, depression, increases impulsivity leading to suicidal risk. Stressful events like academic failure, relationship issues, financial problems, loss of job and job issues, terminal illness in person or in family members. There is no discrimination. Suicide can affect any age group, any gender and any social strata. Why are few affected when all of us go through these above stressful events at once in our lifetime? Researchers have found that multiple stressful events in life leads to neurochemical changes. Serotonin and dopamine which are called happy neurochemicals are decreased in persistent stressful events leading to such threatening end events in life. Genetic predispositions i.e strong family history of depression, addictions, suicide are at high risk of these neurochemical imbalances. What are the warning signs of suicide? National institute of mental health has identified below warning signs: • Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live • Planning or looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online, stockpiling pills, or newly acquiring potentially lethal items (e.g., firearms, ropes) • Talking about guilt or shame • Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions • Talking about being a burden to others • Using alcohol or drugs more often • Acting anxious or agitated • Withdrawing from family and friends • Changing eating and/or sleeping habits • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge • Taking risks that could lead to death, such as reckless driving • Giving away important possessions • Saying goodbye to friends and family Seeking help is most important from psychiatrist. Yes help is available. Cognitive behavioural therapy, extensive counselling sessions are necessary to handle such situations. Medications like antidepressants and anxiolytics are also helpful but to be administered only with prescriptions by psychiatrist and under strict supervision.