What is a primary action to take when responding to suicide risk?

• A. Discuss only general coping strategies
• B. Delay until next session
• C. Ignore warning signs
• D. Assure the person's immediate safety

Answer: (D)

The immediate safety of the person is the top priority when suicide risk is present. In a crisis, the clinician’s first action is to stabilize the situation by addressing whether there is imminent danger, staying with the person or ensuring someone else is with them, removing or reducing access to means of self-harm if possible, and contacting crisis resources or emergency services as needed. Building a safety plan and coordinating ongoing support helps reduce risk and ensures there is a plan for supervision and follow‑up while the risk is being reassessed. While ongoing treatment can eventually focus on coping strategies and reducing risk over time, these steps do not address the urgent danger in the moment. Delaying action until the next session leaves the person unprotected, and ignoring warning signs is unsafe and unethical.