Drivers of Suicide Mobile App Study

Launched by EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE INSTITUTE, SEATTLE, WA · Jun 17, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Drivers of Suicide Mobile App Study is looking to help people who are struggling with thoughts of suicide and may also have issues with alcohol use. The main goal is to test a mobile app called WisePath, which provides evidence-based support to individuals while they wait for care, during treatment, and after they return home. This study will involve 120 adults aged 22 and older who have experienced suicidal thoughts or attempts, and at least a portion of them will also be dealing with harmful drinking habits.

To participate, you must live in the United States, be at least 22 years old, speak English, and have had thoughts of suicide recently or in the past. Participants will be randomly assigned to either use the WisePath app or a control app that offers similar resources. Throughout the 12-week study, you will have assessments at the start, and then again at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. If someone is not eligible due to severe depression or current suicidal thoughts, they will receive information on where to find help. This study is actively recruiting, and the findings could lead to better support for individuals facing these challenges.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Resides in the United States
• • 22+ years of age
• • English speaking
• * At risk for suicide, as evidenced by at least one of the following:
• • One or more lifetime suicide attempts (ASQ item 4)
• • Endorsement of any ASQ items 1 -3 (expanded from "past few weeks" in ASQ to "past 30 days" in our measures)
• • Item 1: In the past 30 days, have you wished you were dead?
• • Item 2: In the past 30 days, have you felt that you or your family would be better off if you were dead?
• • Item 3: In the 30 days, have you been having thoughts about killing yourself?
• • Currently has a primary care provider and sought care from them in the past year
• • Possesses and is the primary user of an Android- or iPhone-based smartphone with a data plan
• • Given that alcohol misuse exponentially increases the risk of death by suicide, can exacerbate other problems, and interfere with effective treatment, we will over-recruit individuals who misuse alcohol to ensure relevance of the tool for them. No fewer than 35% of the sample will be comprised of individuals who score 8 or more on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), indicating a harmful or hazardous level of drinking.
• • To ensure a sufficient sample of individuals who misuse alcohol, no fewer than 35% of the sample will be comprised of individuals who score 8 or more on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), indicating a harmful or hazardous level of drinking.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Severe depression (PHQ-9 score of 20 or greater)
• • Alcohol dependence (AUDIT score of 32 or greater)
• • Acutely suicidal (affirms item 5 of the Ask Suicide Screening Questions; Are you having thoughts of killing yourself right now? Followed by endorsing intent; Have you intended to act on urges to kill yourself in the past 30 days? or planning within the past 30 days; Have you made a plan to kill yourself in the past 30 days?)
• • Significant drug abuse problems (scores 6 or greater on the DAST-10)
• • Individuals who are excluded because of the severity of their depression, suicide acuity, and/or degree of substance use disorder will be provided with resources (i.e., the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988), SAMHSA's National Helpline) and encouraged to reach out to their primary care or mental/behavioral health provider.