Improving relationships to reduce suicide risk in Veterans
Supporting Relationships to Reduce Suicide Risk: A Randomized Control Trial of the Brief Relationship Checkup
This study is testing two different ways to help Veterans with mental health and relationship issues to see which one better reduces the risk of suicide.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 360 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development Federal |
| Locations | 1 site (Canandaigua, New York) |
| Trial ID | NCT05525676 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study compares two approaches to assist Veterans facing mental health and relationship issues in primary care. One approach is a three-session couple-based program called the Brief Relationship Checkup (BRC), which aims to enhance relationship health and reduce suicide risk factors. The other approach is the Co-Located Collaborative Care (CCC), which focuses on individual care for Veterans with mental health concerns. The goal is to evaluate which method is more effective in decreasing suicide risk among participants.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Veterans in committed relationships who experience mild relationship distress and have mental health concerns.
Not a fit: Patients currently engaged in ongoing couple or family therapy or those experiencing severe intimate partner violence may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide Veterans with effective tools to improve their relationships and reduce suicide risk.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using couple-based interventions to improve relationship health and reduce mental health symptoms, indicating potential success for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. BOTH PARTNERS must be age 18 or over 2. BOTH PARTNERS must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of English and cognitive capacity to understand the study through comprehension of consent questions 3. BOTH PARTNERS must self-identify as "in a committed relationship" with their partner for at least 6-months. 4. AT LEAST ONE PARTNER must report at least mild relationship distress on a relationship satisfaction screen (CSI-4). 5. AT LEAST ONE PARTNER must be a VHA-enrolled Veteran who screens positive on a VA Primary Care Mental Health Screen for ONE OR MORE of the following conditions: Depressed Mood, Unsafe drinking, Posttraumatic stress, or Suicidal Ideation. Exclusion Criteria: 1. EITHER PARTNER reports that they are already engaged in ongoing couple or family therapy. 2. EITHER PARTNER reports severe intimate partner violence in the last year. 3. EITHER PARTNER reports ongoing or upcoming legal conflicts between one another (e.g., custody dispute; restraining order; divorce proceedings) 4. EITHER PARTNER reports experiencing suicidal intent requiring hospitalization. 5. EITHER PARTNER experiences past-month psychosis or mania. 6. EITHER PARTNER has completed therapy with the PI, Dr. Dev Crasta, within the last 5 years.
Where this trial is running
Canandaigua, New York
- VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System, Canandaigua, NY — Canandaigua, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Dev J Crasta — VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System, Canandaigua, NY
- Study coordinator: Jovana Demonjic, MPH
- Email: Jovana.Demonjic@va.gov
- Phone: (423) 609-2113
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.