In what situation should immediate help be sought for a person?

Seeking immediate help is crucial when a person has an immediate suicide plan and the means to carry it out. This situation indicates a serious risk of action where the individual has not only contemplated suicide but has also formulated a specific plan and possesses the means to execute it. This escalation increases the urgency for intervention, as the individual is in a state where they are not only considering but also prepared to take life-threatening action.

In all other scenarios listed, while they do indicate varying levels of risk and warrant concern, they may not present an immediate and active danger. For example, a person who regularly thinks about suicide may be in need of support and therapeutic help, but they do not have an immediate plan or means to act upon those thoughts. Similarly, self-injury and depression indicate distress and a need for help; however, without immediate means or a formulated plan, it may not be as urgent as the first situation. Conversations about suicide from a child require careful attention and support, but again, unless there is an immediate plan and means, it may not necessitate the same level of immediate intervention as the situation with a clear plan and means.