Which scenario is most likely to invoke the duty to warn a potential victim?

The scenario that most likely invokes the duty to warn a potential victim involves a client making specific threats against another person. This situation is critical because the duty to warn is a legal and ethical obligation of mental health professionals to disclose information when a client poses a serious risk of harm to themselves or others.

When a client articulates a direct threat to someone, it indicates an imminent risk that could lead to violence or harm. This is a clear call for action to protect the potential victim and ensure that appropriate measures are taken. In contrast, scenarios that involve general conversations, such as discussing fictional characters, favorite foods, or even expressing dissatisfaction with life, do not present immediate threats or specific intentions to harm and thus do not activate the same duty to warn. These latter situations may warrant other forms of intervention, but they lack the clear, actionable threat needed to trigger the duty to warn.