A client at a mental health center has expressed suicidal thoughts and has access to firearms at home. Which action is priority?

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In this moment, the priority is to reduce the immediate risk of self-harm by removing access to lethal means. Firearms in the home dramatically raise the chance of a fatal outcome if someone is suicidal, so secure removing or significantly restricting access is the most effective, time-sensitive safety step. Informing the family and asking them to remove the guns mobilizes a support system that can help ensure the person stays safe while you assess and address their mental health needs.

Empathizing and listening is essential for rapport and trust, but it doesn’t reduce the imminent danger on its own. Asking the person to come back tomorrow delays safety. Charting the thinking pattern and arranging a follow-up, while useful for ongoing care, does not address the immediate risk. Prioritizing safety by removing access to the means of harm takes precedence, then you can proceed with a full risk assessment, ongoing support, and a concrete safety plan.