mHealth-supported Skills Training for Alcohol-Related Suicidality

Launched by DUKE UNIVERSITY · Apr 27, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called mHealth-supported Skills Training for Alcohol-Related Suicidality (mSTARS), is designed to help individuals who struggle with alcohol use and are at risk of suicide. The study aims to develop a program that combines skills training for managing emotions while in the hospital with a mobile app that helps participants practice these skills after they leave the hospital. This is important because the time right after leaving the hospital can be very risky, and the goal is to provide support to prevent another crisis.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be 18 years or older, have been hospitalized for a suicide crisis, and show evidence of hazardous drinking. They also need to own a smartphone and be comfortable communicating in English. The trial will involve two small groups of participants who will complete the mSTARS program and then share their experiences through surveys and interviews. This feedback will help researchers improve the program. Overall, this study seeks to better support people dealing with the challenges of alcohol use and suicidal thoughts.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Age 18+
• • 2. hospitalized for suicide crisis at Duke BHIP
• • 3. an AUDIT-C score indicating hazardous past-month drinking (4 for men; 3 for women) + a 90-day calendar timeline follow-back (TLFB) indicating a minimum of 3 heavy drinking days per week on average (per NIAAA standards)
• • 4. owns a smart phone
• • 5. fluent in English.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. current psychotic or mania symptoms indicated by the MINI Neuropsychiatric Interview 6.0.(MINI)
• • 2. receiving ECT at the time of hospitalization, which could inhibit learning
• • 3. engaged in weekly outpatient psychotherapy
• • 4. discharging to another high level of psychiatric care.