We know that certain brain chemicals are not at their normal level of functioning. We also know that certain parts of the brain are not using oxygen and sugar normally. Hopelessness predicts suicide. Reassure the patient that people with depressions do get better. With professional help they will get better quicker.
Treatment includes both counseling and medication.
Expressing your confidence that the patient will get better is quite helpful here. If you are pessimistic, cold or shallow, the patient will quickly pick up on this and will remain hopeless. Medication for the Suicidal Patient. I tend to not prescribe anti-depressants to suicidal patients on the first evaluation in the emergency setting. Often there are significant psychosocial stressors that are contributing to the patient's unhappy mood.