Behind ordinary faces, many people may be fighting hidden battles. In Lebanon, support services are helping people reach out and access the help they need before it is too late.
Forty seconds is all it takes for a silent, sudden cloud to pass over an entire community, blocking out the light for a few moments as we hear faint cries of farewell, almost as though they reproach us for not having seen it forming.
Elsewhere, perhaps in the very same room, someone may be fighting a hidden battle with themselves, behind a face that appears ordinary and a smile that reveals nothing of what is happening inside.
Family support helps in facing psychological crises (Pexels)
Today, we remember World Suicide Prevention Day not as a passing date, but as a call to turn our attention to people fighting their battles in silence while pretending that they are fine.
Psychologist Tatiana Bou Garios believes that “suicide remains a major and sensitive issue, despite the growing discussion around [mental health] and the organisation of awareness sessions on the subject.”
She explains that “the fear of speaking out may be one of the main obstacles for someone experiencing psychological pain or having harmful thoughts. They may fear rejection, being perceived as weak, or being blamed for their feelings rather than finding someone who will listen to and understand them.” This highlights the importance of providing a safe space where they can express their pain and thoughts without judgment.
As for the warning signs that should draw the attention of those around them, these include isolation, severe mood swings, negative and existential thoughts related to life, as well as impulsivity and behavioural changes.
Psychological distress does not always manifest itself in this way. A person may be depressed and yet appear perfectly normal in their daily life, going to work or school, laughing and talking with others without their outward appearance revealing the extent of what they are going through.
Garios points to “factors that may contribute to reaching a critical stage: mental disorders, particularly depression, trauma, especially childhood trauma—as well as life pressures, existential questions or impulses, the trivialisation of feelings, and the role of the family. All of these factors may overlap in a person’s life and increase the burden of their suffering.”
Negative and existential thoughts linked to depression (Pexels)
Some parents and people around those struggling still view seeking psychological help as shameful or as a sign of weakness. Yet genuine support begins with those around the person: listening, understanding, and providing a safe space to express what they are experiencing.
Responsibility does not stop at the family or individual level; it also begins at school and extends to society. Mental health needs a greater presence in schools, whether through awareness initiatives or by integrating it more extensively into the curriculum.
At home, the psychologist stresses “the need to provide a supportive environment for the child or adolescent, allowing them to open up about what they are experiencing. As for society, there is still much to be done to make mental health a natural topic that can be discussed without stigma or secrecy.”
She also praises “the role of support lines provided by some organisations for people going through psychological crises or experiencing negative thoughts, opening up channels of communication with specialists to obtain the appropriate help.”
Prevention does not remain merely theoretical. In Lebanon, the need for listening and intervention during moments of crisis has been turned into a service on the ground through the Embrace Association and the National Lifeline 1564. Operating around the clock in partnership with the National Mental Health Programme at the Ministry of Public Health, the service provides emotional support, assesses the level of risk, refers callers to specialised services, or dispatches intervention teams when necessary.
The 2024 figures reflect the urgent need for psychological support services. The National Lifeline received 9,514 calls, and its interventions helped save 190 lives that were at imminent risk.
During the year, there were 54 interventions in psychological emergencies, in addition to 3,431 free medical treatment and psychosocial support sessions, benefiting a total of 450 people.
Mental health deserves attention (Pexels)
These figures are part of a broader global picture. The World Health Organization reports that more than 720,000 people die by suicide each year, making it one of the leading causes of death among young people aged 15 to 29.
Recent research studies, including one published in Britain in early 2026, highlight the accumulation of risk factors from an early age, showing that harsh living conditions and adverse early experiences can double the likelihood of suffering.
Risk is often the result of circumstances accumulating over a long period, while support lines and specialised services represent a genuine lifeline, giving people the space to reach out before it is too late.
Suicide prevention is not a responsibility that falls solely on doctors and therapists. It begins with those around us, with an honest word, a look, and a listening ear that can break through the wall of isolation.
And perhaps what remains with us goes beyond the date itself to something greater: celebrating the triumph of life over despair.
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