Your goal here is to tip the balance away from suicide as an option. Allow the patient time to talk. Persons that are suicidal often feel that nobody listens, understands or cares. They may be partially correct. Clinical depression is a difficult concept for the lay person to understand.
Depressed people are also difficult to be around on a daily basis.
These patients may be totally isolated because of their condition. Assess motive for suicide. Try to help patients clarify their reasons for suicide. It will score some points for you as a professional and will also help you to begin working towards some solutions. Suicidal and depressed individuals have much difficulty seeing anything positive in their life.