Psychiatrycommon
A 47-year-old farmer is brought to a regional emergency department by his brother. Over three months he has withdrawn from the family, stopped eating with them and lost 12 kg. He has told his brother he intends to shoot himself with the rifle he keeps in the shed, and he repeats this to the intern, saying he has settled on a day next week. He is calm and courteous, says there is nothing wrong with him, refuses admission and any treatment, and asks to be driven home. He lives alone. The consultant psychiatrist is available by telephone. Which one of the following actions is most appropriate?