Training to help manage emotions and reduce alcohol-related suicide risks.

Development of mHealth-Supported Skills Training for Alcohol and Related Suicidality (mSTARS): Emotion Regulation Skills Training to Enhance Acute Psychiatric Care and Recovery

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-10928914

This study is testing a new program called mSTARS, which uses a mobile app to help people who struggle with alcohol use and are at risk for suicide by teaching them skills to manage their emotions and support their recovery after leaving the hospital.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-10928914 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a new intervention called mHealth-supported Skills Training for Alcohol and Related Suicidality (mSTARS) aimed at helping individuals who misuse alcohol and are at risk for suicide. It combines emotion regulation skills training with a mobile health app to support patients during their recovery after being discharged from acute psychiatric care. The goal is to enhance standard care and provide ongoing support to prevent future crises. By addressing the gap in outpatient treatment adherence, this approach aims to improve patient outcomes significantly.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 21 and older who have experienced a suicide crisis related to alcohol misuse.

Not a fit: Patients who do not misuse alcohol or have not experienced suicidal ideation may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better emotional management and reduced suicide risks for individuals struggling with alcohol misuse.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that emotion regulation training can effectively reduce both alcohol misuse and suicidal behavior, indicating a promising approach.

Where this research is happening

Durham, 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.