LMSW Practice Test

A social worker at a suicide hotline receives a call from someone contemplating suicide. The social worker should

1. keep talking to him on the telephone until a specific arrangement can be made with a therapist later in the morning

2. send a crisis worker immediately or convince him to go to the hospital emergency room

3. tell him no one is available and to call back in a few hours

4. tell him to go to a mental health agency in the morning

The correct answer is: send a crisis worker immediately or convince him to go to the hospital emergency room

The correct choice is to send a crisis worker immediately or to convince the caller to go to the hospital emergency room. This is the appropriate response when dealing with someone who is contemplating suicide. Immediate intervention is crucial in these situations to ensure the individual's safety. A crisis worker can provide immediate support and assessment, while the hospital emergency room can offer a higher level of care if necessary. It is essential to address the needs of someone in crisis right away, rather than delaying the response or leaving the person in a vulnerable state without support. Addressing conflicts such as this urgently demonstrates a fundamental aspect of social work ethics, prioritizing client safety and well-being. In contrast, keeping the individual on the phone without immediate action fails to provide necessary help right away. Asking someone to call back later or visit a mental health agency in the morning does not address the immediate risk they are facing and can leave them without adequate support in a critical moment.