Supporting someone in acute danger

Keep the focus on the next few hours

You do not need to solve the person's problems right now. You do not need to figure out how their whole life should continue either.

At this moment there is only one goal: get through the next few hours safely and involve further help.

When the person drifts back to their problems, the past, or a hopeless future:

  1. Acknowledge briefly: "I hear how unbearable this feels for you right now."

  2. Return to the present: "We don't have to solve this today."

  3. Next concrete step: "I'm staying with you. Now we'll call for help / go to the emergency department / bring someone else in."

Repeat this calmly, kindly, and if necessary again and again. You do not need to find new arguments.

Do not get drawn into discussions about whether everything is hopeless, whether help will help, or whether the person is a burden to others. Do not contradict at length or try to convince them with logic or positive outlooks.