Couple-Based Crisis Safety Planning

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA · Jun 8, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new approach to help Veterans who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts or crises. The researchers want to test a virtual couple-based crisis response plan (CRP-C) that aims to reduce feelings of distress and lower the risk of suicide among Veterans. This program is designed to involve both partners in a committed relationship, providing support and strategies to manage difficult times together.

To be eligible for this study, at least one partner in the couple must be a Veteran living in Georgia, must speak English, and must have a smartphone. Additionally, the Veteran should have experienced some crisis symptoms in the last three months and been in a committed relationship for at least a year. Participants will be asked to engage in the program and provide feedback on its effectiveness. It’s important to note that individuals who are facing immediate risk of suicide or who have experienced intimate partner violence in the last three months cannot participate in the trial. This study is not yet recruiting participants, so there will be further announcements when it is ready to start.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • (At least) One participant from the couple must have Veteran status
• • Currently resides in Georgia
• • English speaking
• • The Veteran must own a smartphone
• • Veteran must have experienced crisis symptoms in the past three months. At least 1 symptom of entrapment, and at least 1 symptom from 2 of the associated disturbance categories \[i.e. affective disturbance, loss of cognitive control, hyperarousal, or social withdrawal\]
• • Currently be in a committed relationship for at least one year
• • The Veteran must be able to present a copy of DD form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty issued by the U.S. Department of Defense)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Non-English speaking
• • Under 18 years of age
• • Resides in a different state than Georgia
• • Either partner reports injury or fear resulting from intimate partner violence in the past three months.
• • Participants who meet study criteria for imminent suicide risk Depressive Symptom Index - Suicidality Subscale (Joiner et al., 2002), defined as a DSI- SS score of 7 or greater, or selecting "3" on items B \[formulated plan\] or D \[constant urge to kill self (I. H. Stanley et al., 2021)