According to ACE-Care, if someone acknowledges thoughts of suicide, which of the following is NOT something you should do?

• A. Discuss the problem and ask how they are feeling
• B. Talk them out of suicide with your own plan
• C. Listen, validate feelings, and offer to help them seek professional help
• D. Immediately try to solve their problem or talk them out of suicide

Answer: (D)

When someone shares that they’re thinking about suicide, the priority is safety and support. The approach that is not appropriate is trying to solve their problems for them or talking them out of their plan with your own solution. That shifts the focus to persuasion rather than addressing the person’s immediate safety and needs, can feel dismissive of their pain, and may delay getting professional help. Instead, respond with calm, nonjudgmental listening; acknowledge their feelings; discuss what they’re experiencing; and offer to help them connect with professional support right away. If there’s any immediate danger, stay with them and seek urgent help from crisis resources or emergency services.