When someone that you know makes a suicide attempt, it’s normal to feel a surge in tough emotions like grief, guilt, anger or even a sense of numbness. However, it’s vitally important to talk through these feelings, both for you to be able to hold yourself afloat and to support your friend through their moment of need. Listen without judgement, keep the conversation open and try to ask questions that allows you to see their perspective. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Talk Through It
The first thing to remember when engaging in this kind of conversation is that the tough reality it’s not always about finding solutions. Sometimes our role, as a friend, is simply to offer a safe space for them to be able to express their feelings. One of the most damaging sentiments in the modern day is that we don’t have the right to our emotions or to feel the way that we do, which can lead to negative spirals or ruminations.
Why Support Systems Are Crucial
The second thing to bear in mind are support systems: for you and your friend. If you're close to the person, ensure you also have a support system to help you navigate this challenging time. The person in recovery may still be experiencing suicidal distress, so having a network of people who can provide emotional support, practical help, and actual professional resources is crucial. This network might include friends, family, mental health professionals, and community support groups.
What To Do Immediately After An Attempt
In the immediate aftermath of a suicide attempt, it's important to ensure the person's safety. Either escort them to the emergency department of your nearest hospital or call a mental health crisis helpline that is equipped to handle these kinds of crises. In that time, remove any triggers or means of suicide that might exacerbate the situation and try to keep them talking. Staying calm and simply letting them know you care can be crucially important.
Reach Out To Local Mental Health NGOs And Foundations
These organizations tend to have a pool of resources to help suicide attempt survivors and those caring for them. hey also provide resources such as personal safety plans, advice for supporting someone online, and helplines for immediate support. Remember, it's not about fixing the person but about showing them empathy, care, and understanding as they navigate their path to recovery
Lastly, just remember that supporting a suicide attempt survivor is a journey, one that requires patience, empathy, and resilience. However, do remember that with the right support, recovery is possible.
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Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic and progressive neurological condition affecting an estimated 1.5–2 lakh people in India, and remains one of the country's most overlooked invisible disabilities.
Many of its symptoms, including fatigue, cognitive impairment, chronic pain, visual disturbances, and bladder dysfunction, are often not outwardly visible, contributing to delayed diagnosis, barriers to disability recognition, insurance challenges, and difficulties in accessing long-term care and support.
In a significant step towards strengthening disability-inclusive healthcare and social protection in India, policymakers, neurologists, disability rights advocates, insurance stakeholders, and persons living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) today endorsed a landmark 10-point Declaration on Invisible Disabilities and Gender at the National Policy Dialogue organized on the occasion of World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2026.
The National Policy Dialogue was held under the theme, "Shaping Policy. Advancing Access. Improving Lives."
"India has made significant progress in recognizing the rights of persons with disabilities, and conversations such as these are essential to ensuring that our laws, policies, and institutions continue to evolve in ways that better reflect the lived experiences of people affected by conditions such as MS," said Menaka Guruswamy, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha.
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Experts from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI) stated that for people living with Multiple Sclerosis, the challenges often extend far beyond the disease itself.
Delayed access to insurance, high out-of-pocket costs, limited awareness of available entitlements, and the absence of comprehensive patient data continue to create barriers to timely care.
Thus, they expect the Declaration to catalyze stronger insurance inclusion, better access to support systems, and a more robust national understanding of the true burden of MS in India.
The Declaration on Invisible Disabilities and Gender outlines a roadmap to strengthen implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and improve the inclusion of invisible neurological conditions within India's healthcare, disability, and welfare systems.
Key recommendations include:
The declaration reflects a growing consensus among stakeholders that India's healthcare and social protection systems must evolve to better address invisible conditions that significantly affect an individual's functional ability, quality of life, and socioeconomic participation.
"Multiple Sclerosis is a complex, unpredictable, and lifelong neurological condition that requires early diagnosis, timely intervention, and sustained access to advanced therapies. While often simplified for patient understanding, the clinical reality is far more challenging and demands a nuanced approach to treatment and long-term care," said Dr. R.K. Dhamija, Distinguished Neurologist, Director, IHBAS, and Chair, National Task Force, NITI Aayog Brain Health Initiative.
"Investing in neurological care is not merely a healthcare expenditure; it is an economic imperative that helps prevent irreversible disability, reduces long-term care costs, and enables people to remain active and productive," Dr. Dhamija added.
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For many people, tobacco does not begin as an addiction; it starts as a habit woven into ordinary moments of daily life. A cigarette shared with friends, a smoke break during a stressful day, or chewing tobacco after meals can soon become a routine that feels difficult to avoid.
While these habits may seem harmless in the beginning, tobacco slowly affects nearly every organ in the body, often giving subtle warning signs long before a serious disease is diagnosed.
These effects rarely manifest suddenly and usually come after years of prolonged use. It is this slow progress that leads most tobacco users to believe that "I am fine." But there are unmistakable signs of some diseases brought about by the use of tobacco that ought not to be dismissed:
Oral cancer caused by tobacco often appears initially in the form of persistent mouth ulcers, white or red patches inside the mouth, and jaw stiffness. These painful and irritating conditions can be so subtle that a person is not concerned by them.
Persistent changes like the change in your voice pitch or constant throat irritation are not to be taken lightly, either; they could be signs of deeper problems arising. Seeking medical help when it is still in the superficial stages will not only decrease your chances of being treated with aggressive measures but may actually result in an easier way to fight the condition.
Tobacco affects much more than just the lungs, and many symptoms associated with chronic conditions often go unnoticed.
The most important remedy at our disposal is not a complicated surgery but an accurate identification of such conditions at their superficial stage, allowing for minimal and non-invasive treatments.
The human body is an incredibly powerful machine at healing, and the instant the consumption of tobacco ceases, a chain of events kicks off that increases circulation and improves lung function.
If you ever find yourself dealing with a persistent cough, mouth ulcer, or undue fatigue, it is advisable to visit a specialist at the earliest to prevent future complications.
(By Dr Yash Mathur, Senior Head, Neck, Oral, and Robotic Onco-Surgeon at HCG Cancer Hospital, Borivali, Mumbai)
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A growing body of global research is beginning to point in one direction: our eyes are under strain like never before. As per the report published on PubMed, myopia is projected to rise significantly worldwide, increasing from about 27% of the global population in 2010 to nearly 52% by 2050, highlighting its emergence as a major public health concern.
Although genetics has long contributed, there appears to be a significant environmental factor associated with how fast this shift has occurred.
Screens have become an integrated part of everyday lives, from the time of waking up to work on digital screens or scroll through phones late into the night. Digital devices are no longer optional but a constant priority.
Work, education, and entertainment are all now done on screens with little or no interruption. The growing generation of gadgets has its own advantages, but its impact has significantly contributed to the alarming rise in cases of myopia.
There are three major significant ways prolonged screen time could affect vision:
Mild discomfort, such as dryness, headaches, and blurred vision, can lead to more chronic issues. Digital eye strain is common among adults and children alike. However, the long-term outcome is the main concern.
Progressive myopia increases the chances of developing serious eye diseases like glaucoma, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration, and having to wear stronger prescription glasses. These aren't just short-term inconveniences; they can create lifelong risks that severely affect the quality of life.
The days when children spent their time flying kites, playing marbles, feeling the wind on their faces, and returning home with dust-covered hands have gradually faded into memory. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated an already existing trend.
The screen time increased as many schools transitioned to online education and remote workers increased due to the pandemic. Above all, children experienced a sudden reduction in outdoor activity with increased exposure to digital devices.
The phase indicated a noticeable drop in the vision of the people. This period has often been referred to as a phase of “quarantine myopia,” where many young individuals reported a noticeable decline in vision.
As individuals return to normalcy, the habits that were established are continuing, and concern is being raised about a generation having poorer visual health.
Consistent habits are needed to address this issue:
The increase in use of screens is not an isolated event; it is part of the larger trend affecting how we live and work. To address this issue, we need to develop awareness among individuals, families, schools, and workplaces about proper screen use. A balanced daily routine, guided by parents, plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy vision in children.
Collective responsibility among teachers, parents, and government authorities is essential to prevent visual complications, as children represent our future generations. Greater public awareness around digital eye strain and eye health is also necessary, as it often serves as a precursor to multiple health complications.
Eye health must be seen as an essential part of overall well-being. The current trend may still be a developing issue, but it requires urgent attention. Acting early, with informed choices and preventive care, can ensure that technological progress does not come at the cost of long-term vision health.
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