Lifeline: Men lead Surat Police helpline calls; financial stress, family disputes fuel growing distress

Figures from April 21, 2025, to September 8, 2026, show that the 24-hour helpline received 831 calls in 17 months. Timely counselling and assistance helped save hundreds of lives.

Of the 831 people who contacted the helpline, 581 were men and 250 were women. Police said 167 people who had reached the point of attempting suicide received timely assistance, helping save their lives.

Another 173 people experiencing suicidal thoughts due to stress were counselled over the phone and given renewed hope.

The number of men seeking help was more than twice that of women. Financial crises, work-related stress and family disputes were among the reasons linked to higher levels of despair among men.

The Police Control Room team went beyond providing assistance over the phone and also counselled 805 people in person. The intervention helped them return to normal life and become mentally stronger.