How should you handle a situation where a resident expresses a desire to stop living?

In situations where a resident expresses a desire to stop living, it is crucial to prioritize the resident's safety and well-being. Consulting with the charge nurse immediately is the correct approach because it ensures that a qualified healthcare professional is made aware of the situation. The charge nurse can assess the situation appropriately, provide necessary support, and determine the right course of action. This response aligns with the legal and ethical responsibility of healthcare workers to report any significant changes in a resident's emotional or mental health status, especially when it pertains to their safety.

The other options, while they may seem supportive in nature, lack the necessary immediacy and professional intervention required in such serious circumstances. For example, discussing it with other residents could breach confidentiality and not provide the resident with the focused help they need. Keeping the information to yourself could lead to a failure to act and address a critical issue, which goes against ethical practices in care. Offering support and reassurance is important, but without involving the appropriate medical personnel, it does not address the immediate need for professional intervention.