A therapy group to help veterans at high risk for suicide manage their emotions.
Official title: A Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Multisite Trial of a Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Group for Veterans at High-Risk for Suicide Attempt
Funded at VA Connecticut Healthcare System · NIH-10989972 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special group therapy called Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Group can help veterans who are at risk for suicide by teaching them ways to manage their emotions better, which could help reduce their suicidal thoughts and actions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Connecticut Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Haven, United States) |
| Project start | November 1, 2021 |
| Project end | September 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01HX003249-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10989972 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans who are identified as being at high risk for suicide and may struggle with managing their emotions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not veterans or those who do not exhibit high risk for suicide may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of a group therapy program called Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Group (DBT-SG) specifically designed for veterans who are at high risk for suicide. The program focuses on teaching emotion regulation skills, which are crucial for preventing suicide attempts. By participating in this group, veterans will learn strategies to manage their emotions better, potentially reducing their suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The research will also explore how to effectively implement this therapy within the Veterans Health Administration.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the number of suicide attempts among veterans by providing them with essential coping skills.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that DBT-SG can effectively reduce suicidal ideation and attempts, indicating that this approach has been successful in similar contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Connecticut Healthcare System
West Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Decker, Suzanne Elizabeth — VA Connecticut Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Decker, Suzanne Elizabeth
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding warning signs to predict near-term suicide risk in hospitalized adults
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DBT skills groups for Veterans at high risk of suicide
This program offers group-based dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills training for Veterans at high risk of suicide to help reduce suicidal thoughts and attempts.
-
Immediate warning signs in the day after a suicide attempt for hospitalized adults
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Testing a brief intervention for people who have recently attempted suicide
This study is looking at how well a short program called ASSIP can help people who have recently tried to take their own lives, by offering three supportive sessions to reduce the chances of future attempts, and it's designed to be easy to access in community mental health settings.
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Understanding Invisible Suicide Risks in Youth: A National Study in Guyana
A nationwide study in Guyana aims to learn about hidden factors that contribute to suicide risk among young people so we can prevent tragedy.
-
Mobile safety planning for at-risk young adults
A digital, text-based safety planning program for young adults (ages 18–24) to help prevent suicide and stay connected to support.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.