Cognitive therapy focused on limiting brooding may improve how people respond to their negative moods by decreasing their tendency to engage in impulsive behaviors. Decreased brooding may also increase the mental capacity necessary for individuals to think about solutions to problems in the face of distress. Such interventions may ultimately decrease the likelihood that stress will trigger cognitive processes associated with suicidal behavior. Clinical interventions may also en- courage a low ruminative response style (brooding and reflection), in general. Importantly, these findings can guide future research to improve our understanding of how brooding may lead to higher suicide risk through impulsivity. Potential findings may aid in developing targeted approaches to suicide prevention.