Suicide is not a private failure. It is a human crisis we can learn to see, understand and respond to, together. Every year, thousands of lives are lost to suicide in India, and behind each number is a person, a family, and a story that might have unfolded differently. Yet suicide remains one of the least understood and most stigmatized subjects in our homes, schools, and communities.

‘Managing the Suicidal Mind’ sets out to change that. Drawing on national data, established psychological theory, and the voices of those working directly in the field, this book offers a clear, compassionate, and practical understanding of why people reach the edge, and how those around them can help. It is written for everyone who might one day sit beside someone in pain: parents, teachers, families, counsellors, institutions, and the struggling person themselves. It moves beyond myth and fear toward knowledge and action, dismantling common misconceptions and offering everyday tools for coping and care. It treats suicide not as a taboo to be avoided, but as a challenge we can meet with understanding No one should have to face the darkest moments alone.

Acknowledgement:

The authors are grateful to the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan Phase 2.0

for providing funding support for the project under which the book was conceived and written.

Dr. Tarun Kumar Sharma has been working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Mohanlal Sukhadla University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, since 2012. He is also currently the In-charge Head of the Department. He completed his Ph.D. in 2007 and has also qualified for UGC-NET and RPSC-SET. He has previously worked at the Centre for Organization Development, Hyderabad; IMS Learning Resources, Mumbal and Noida; and Aishwarya Post Graduate College, Udaipur. He has published more than 30 research papers and book chapters. Five students have been awarded Ph.D. degrees under his supervision. He is a life member of the Indian Gerontological Association and the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology.

Kritika Rao is an alumna of the Department of Psychology at Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, where she completed her postgraduate studies. She has qualified for UGC-NET with a Junior Research Fellowship (AIR 4) and GATE (AIR 19). She has also worked as a part-time Research Assistant on a RUSA-sponsored research

project focusing on suicide prevention and related concerns.