Intervention to improve home safety for veterans at risk of suicide
Veteran-Centered Lethal Means Safety Suicide Prevention Intervention (CDA 19-076)
This study is trying out a new way to help veterans at risk of suicide by making their homes safer and reducing access to harmful items like guns and medications.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 100 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development Federal |
| Locations | 1 site (Aurora, Colorado) |
| Trial ID | NCT06216327 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to pilot a lethal means safety intervention specifically designed for Veterans identified as having elevated suicide risk. The intervention focuses on reducing access to lethal methods of self-harm, such as firearms and medications, among Veterans seeking care in various VHA clinical settings. Up to 50 Veterans will participate to assess the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention, which is crucial given the high risk of suicide in this population. The study will be conducted in a remote format to ensure accessibility for participants.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are Veterans over 17 years old who have been discharged from a VHA encounter and have reported access to self-owned firearms or medications.
Not a fit: Patients who are currently experiencing unsheltered homelessness or have active substance use disorders may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly reduce the risk of suicide among Veterans by limiting access to lethal means.
How similar studies have performed: While interventions targeting lethal means safety have been implemented in other populations, this specific approach tailored for Veterans is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Encounter at VHA ED or urgent care setting, outpatient mental health, women's health, or primary care -\>17 years * Discharged home from the encounter (rather than hospital admission) * Positive Columbia Screener * Patient-reported access to self-owned firearms and/or medications Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to consent due to cognitive impairment, severity of illness (including psychiatric symptoms), intoxication with drugs and/or alcohol * Unreliable telephone access * Unreliable video access (because remote intervention) * Those currently experiencing unsheltered homelessness * No mailing address * Active opioid or stimulant use disorder * Active alcohol use disorder with daily alcohol consumption
Where this trial is running
Aurora, Colorado
- Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO — Aurora, Colorado, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Joseph A Simonetti, MD MPH — Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO
- Study coordinator: Suzanne Thomas, MA
- Email: Suzanne.thomas4@va.gov
- Phone: (303) 399-8020
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.