Web-based suicide prevention program 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-11132586 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A brief online skills program aims to help Veterans reduce suicidal thoughts and lower the chance of self-directed harm.
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 | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2CX002448-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11132586 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are Veterans who are currently experiencing suicidal thoughts or recent self-directed behaviors and receive care through VA emergency, primary care, or mental health services.
✕Less likely to help
People without suicidal thoughts, non-Veterans, or those needing immediate inpatient care for severe psychiatric crises or active psychosis may not benefit from this brief online program.
What this research studies
You would be offered a single-session web program called RES that teaches coping skills to reduce the rigid, distressing thinking that often leads to suicidal thoughts. The program is short, skills-based, and designed to be easy to use in places like emergency departments, primary care, or VA mental health clinics. In this randomized trial, some Veterans will use the web program while others receive usual care, and the study will track changes in suicidal ideation and self-directed violence over time. Follow-up contacts will monitor safety and measure whether the online session helps prevent worsening of suicidal thoughts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If it works, this could give Veterans a quick, easy-to-access tool to lower suicidal thoughts and reduce the risk of self-harm.
How similar studies have gone: Some brief, web-based skills programs have shown promise and the PI has pilot-tested RES, but combining this targeted approach with wide VA delivery is relatively new.
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.
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Targeted online suicide prevention for Veterans
A web-based, one-session intervention for Veterans to reduce thoughts of suicide and self-harm by helping them manage distress and rigid thinking.
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Web-based intervention to prevent suicide in veterans
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A universal school program to help middle schoolers stay emotionally regulated and safer
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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.
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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.