Mobile tool to help reduce suicidal thoughts in Veterans
Official title: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of the Mobile Intervention for Suicidal Thoughts
Funded at Durham VA Medical Center · NIH-11311264 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small, patient-friendly phone app called MIST helps Veterans with suicidal thoughts by guiding them through quick, practical steps to change distressing beliefs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Durham VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5I21RX005137-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11311264 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans who experience suicidal thoughts and are receiving care at facilities like the Durham VA Medical Center.
✕Less likely to help
Veterans who are not able to use mobile apps or who do not experience suicidal thoughts may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests a brief mobile intervention added to usual care to see if it is easy to use and acceptable for Veterans with suicidal thoughts. Fifty Veterans will be randomly assigned to receive the MIST app plus standard care or standard care alone, over a short pilot period. The study aims to show that people will engage with the app and that it can feasibly be integrated into existing care for Veterans at risk. If feasible, the approach could inform larger trials to reduce suicide risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the MIST app could become a low-cost, scalable option to help Veterans reduce suicidal thoughts and improve safety.
How similar studies have gone: Similar mobile interventions have shown promise in reducing distress, but this exact approach for Veterans is in early testing.
Where this research is happening
-
Durham VA Medical Center
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dillon, Kirsten Hawkins — Durham VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Dillon, Kirsten Hawkins
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Cognitive behavioral therapy and trazodone for insomnia phenotypes with high blood pressure
A clinical study tests how CBT-I and the sleep drug trazodone work for adults with insomnia and high blood pressure, focusing on a specific sleep duration pattern.
-
Shorter antifungal treatment for kids with candidemia
A multi-center pediatric trial tests whether a shorter, 7 extra days of antifungal therapy after an initial 7 days is just as good as the standard 14-day approach for kids with candidemia who are improving on echinocandin therapy.
-
Short Course vs Standard Course Antifungal Therapy for Pediatric Candidemia
This study tests whether a shorter 7-day total antifungal treatment after an initial 7 days of echinocandin therapy is as effective as the usual 14-day course for children with candidemia.
-
Shorter antifungal treatment for kids with candidemia
A multi-center study tests whether kids with candidemia can finish treatment earlier after an initial week of antifungal therapy than the standard two weeks total.
-
Shorter antifungal treatment for kids with candidemia
This study tests whether children with candidemia can finish treatment after 7 days of an echinocandin if they are improving, instead of completing a full 14 days.
-
Shorter antifungal course for kids with candidemia
A multi-center study tests whether 7 extra days of antifungal therapy after an initial week of treatment can be shortened safely for children with candidemia.
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.