Suicide Risk Interventions

Launched by VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT · Jun 26, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called "Suicide Risk Interventions," is aimed at helping Veterans who have recently been hospitalized due to suicidal thoughts or attempts. The study will involve 136 male and female Veterans who will be divided into two groups to receive different types of psychotherapy, which is a form of talk therapy, after they leave the hospital. The main goal is to see if longer therapy sessions can help Veterans cope better with their feelings and reduce their risk of suicide. The study will also look at brain scans taken at different times to see if there are any changes that could help predict future suicide attempts.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be Veterans who have recently faced a serious suicidal crisis, such as having thoughts of suicide with the intention to die or having made a suicide attempt. They should be able to speak English, consent to participate, and commit to attending 12 therapy sessions and 3 brain scan appointments after leaving the hospital. However, individuals with significant cognitive impairment or current severe mental health issues like psychosis will not be included in the study. This trial is an important step in developing better support and treatments for Veterans at risk of suicide.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • hospitalization for a recent suicidal crisis consisting of SI with intent to die within the past week and/or a suicide attempt within the past month
• • Veteran status
• • ability to speak English
• • ability to complete the informed consent process
• • willingness/ability to attend 12 outpatient treatment sessions and 3 fMRI sessions following hospital discharge
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • significant cognitive impairment
• • current psychotic or manic features