Development of a Recovery Oriented Treatment for Post-Acute Suicidal Episode (PASE) Veterans

Launched by VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT · Jan 28, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on developing a new type of therapy for Veterans who have experienced a serious suicidal episode. The goal is to create a recovery-oriented treatment that helps Veterans improve their mental health and well-being after they have been at risk for suicide. While there are treatments for acute suicidal feelings, this study aims to fill a gap by offering support for Veterans who are no longer in immediate danger but still need help with ongoing mental health challenges. The therapy being tested is called Continuous Identity-Cognitive Therapy (CI-CT), which focuses on helping Veterans build hope, strengthen their personal identity, and improve their relationships.

To be eligible for the trial, participants must be U.S. military Veterans living in the NYC area who have had suicidal thoughts or plans within the last year and are currently stable enough to join a group therapy program. Participants can expect to engage in group sessions that will be tailored to their needs, and their feedback will help shape the treatment. This research is important because it aims to create a supportive environment that empowers Veterans on their path to recovery, helping them to live fulfilling lives.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • suicide attempt, or creation of a suicide plan with intent or preparatory behavior, within the past year, as assessed using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS) - to provide this information, in addition to the standard lifetime/3 months categories in the CSSRS a 1 year category will be added
• • participation in mental health services at the JJPVA
• • sufficient clinical stability and readiness to participate in a group therapy as deemed by a mental health treatment provider
• • sufficient medical stability as deemed by a medical provider
• • Veteran of US Military
• • resides in NYC region
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • active alcohol or opiate dependence requiring medically supervised withdrawal
• • imminent risk of suicidal or homicidal behavior
• • acute suicidal episode within past week
• • current acute suicidal symptoms (based on scores of the BSI and SBQ-R - see above)
• • inability to perform CI-CT treatment tasks based on their performance on a sample reading and writing task from the CI-CT manual (given during screening), operationalized as an ability to read the sample material, understand the instructions, and write a response connected with the material and in line with the writing instructions
• • unable to speak English
• • lack of capacity to consent
• • unable or unwilling to provide at least one contact for emergency purposes
• • unable to attend outpatient group treatment program
• • participation in another intervention RCT
• • insufficient interpersonal functioning to function appropriately within the group assessed through a consultation with the referrer and the Veterans' mental health provider about their interpersonal functioning and ability to tolerate group therapy, and a chart review searching for disruptive behavior in group therapy