Targeted online suicide prevention for Veterans
Official title: Effects of a Targeted Web-Based Suicide Prevention Intervention on Suicidal Ideation and Self-Directed Violence: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Veterans
Funded at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care · NIH-11533118 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A web-based, one-session intervention for Veterans to reduce thoughts of suicide and self-harm by helping them manage distress and rigid thinking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2CX002448-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11533118 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans experiencing suicidal thoughts or risk factors who have access to the web and can participate in a remote or clinic-based intervention.
✕Less likely to help
Veterans without internet access or those who do not experience distress related to suicidal ideation may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project delivers a short, web-based program designed to be used in Veterans’ clinics or at home to help reduce thoughts of suicide. The approach focuses on reducing psychological inflexibility related to distress and suicidal ideation, with the goal of preventing progression to self-directed violence. It aims to be easily disseminated across settings, including primary care and emergency clinics, by distilling key components into a simple, accessible format. The study will compare the online intervention to standard care in a randomized design to see if it lowers suicidal thoughts and related distress.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, Veterans could access a concise, web-based tool that helps reduce suicidal thoughts and prevent self-harm in a convenient, scalable way.
How similar studies have gone: Previous web-based interventions for suicide prevention have shown promise, but this study blends a skills-based approach with psychological flexibility targeting and single-session delivery.
Where this research is happening
-
Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care
New Orleans, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Boffa, Joseph William — Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care
- Study coordinator: Boffa, Joseph William
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Web-based suicide prevention program for Veterans
A brief online skills program aims to help Veterans reduce suicidal thoughts and lower the chance of self-directed harm.
-
Web-based intervention to prevent suicide in veterans
This study is testing an easy-to-use online program that helps veterans manage their feelings and thoughts about suicide, aiming to improve their mental health and prevent them from acting on those thoughts.
-
A universal school program to help middle schoolers stay emotionally regulated and safer
A school-based program teaches students calming skills to reduce violence and thoughts of self-harm, tested in a randomized trial with middle schoolers.
-
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.
-
How School Cellphone Rules Might Affect Youth Suicide and Violence
A study will look at whether restricting students’ use of cellphones at school influences rates of suicidal thoughts and interpersonal violence among youth.
-
INCLUSAVE: helping young adults with IDD access suicide-prevention trainings
A new NIH grant studies whether two proven gatekeeper trainings (ASIST and safeTALK) can be delivered in inclusive settings to support young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their communities.
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.