Which option best reflects the recommended approach when someone is contemplating suicide?

• A. Encourage the person to be alone
• B. Listen nonjudgmentally and encourage help-seeking
• C. Ignore the problem temporarily
• D. Wait for them to ask for help

Answer: (B)

When someone is contemplating suicide, the most effective response is to listen nonjudgmentally and encourage help-seeking. Listening without judgment validates their feelings and reduces isolation, which makes it safer for them to share what they’re experiencing and any details about their thoughts, plans, or means. This supportive connection also creates an opening to connect them with professional resources who can assess risk and provide appropriate intervention. You can offer concrete next steps, such as contacting a crisis line, reaching a mental health professional, or going to urgent care, and you can offer to stay with them or help them make the contact. Taking this approach emphasizes immediate support and safety, rather than shifting responsibility onto the person or waiting for them to reach out on their own.