If a person in crisis expresses delusional beliefs, you should:

• A. Validate and endorse the belief
• B. Acknowledge the feeling but avoid endorsing the delusion
• C. Tell them they are wrong
• D. Change the subject abruptly

Answer: (B)

When someone in crisis expresses delusional beliefs, you want to connect with them emotionally without validating the false idea. Acknowledging their feelings—recognizing that they are frightened, distraught, or confused—helps calm them and builds trust, which is essential for any further intervention. At the same time, you avoid endorsing the delusion because affirming it can reinforce the false belief and escalate defensiveness or dangerous behavior. Telling them they’re wrong directly pressures them and often leads to resistance or a rupture in communication. Changing the subject abruptly ignores their distress and misses the chance to assess safety and provide support. So the best approach is to acknowledge the feeling and situation while not validating the delusion, keeping the line of communication open and focused on de-escalation and help.