A brief therapy to help veterans recover from suicidal thoughts during hospitalization

Testing the Efficacy of ACT for Life: A Brief Inpatient Intervention to Maximize Recovery and Prevent Future Suicidal Behavior

NIH-funded research VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System · NIH-11175342

This study is testing a new therapy called ACT for Life to help veterans in the hospital who are at risk of suicide, aiming to reduce their suicidal thoughts and improve their overall well-being during their stay.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVA Eastern Colorado Health Care System NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11175342 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a new intervention called ACT for Life, designed to be delivered during psychiatric hospitalization for veterans at risk of suicide. The approach focuses on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which aims to help patients not only reduce suicidal thoughts but also enhance their overall functioning and quality of life. By integrating this therapy into the inpatient setting, the research seeks to address the critical period following hospitalization when the risk of suicide is highest. The intervention is tailored to be brief and applicable to a wide range of mental health issues, making it feasible for implementation in a clinical environment.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are veterans who are hospitalized due to suicidal ideation or behavior.

Not a fit: Patients who are not veterans or those who are not experiencing suicidal thoughts may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide veterans with effective tools to manage suicidal thoughts and improve their overall recovery process.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that psychosocial interventions like ACT can be effective in reducing suicidal behavior, suggesting a promising avenue for this novel application.

Where this research is happening

Aurora, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.