Massachusetts Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) Practice Exam 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

In the context of responding to someone expressing suicidal feelings, asking if they have thought about a plan is vital because it directly assesses the immediacy and seriousness of their situation. Understanding whether the individual has a specific plan can provide crucial information about their level of risk. This question helps to gauge their intention and the seriousness of their feelings, allowing for a more informed response and support approach.

Engaging in this level of inquiry demonstrates to the person that their feelings are being taken seriously and encourages a deeper conversation about their thoughts and feelings. It also helps identify if they may be at risk for acting on those thoughts, which can be critical for determining the next steps in providing support and seeking professional help.

The other options, while they address the person's feelings to some extent, do not adequately explore the risk associated with suicidal ideation. Asking if they are serious may come off as dismissive or judgmental, questioning the genuineness of their feelings. Inquiring why they feel that way is more exploratory but may not lead to an urgent understanding of their safety. Asking if they need help can imply a more supportive stance but does not dig into the specifics of their thoughts or plans, which is vital in a crisis situation.