Managing suicide risk for discharged psychiatric patients

An Implementation Study of Suicide Risk Management Among Discharged Psychiatric Patients Based on Brief Contact Interventions and Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial

This study is trying to find the best way to help prevent suicide risk for psychiatric patients after they leave the hospital by using brief check-ins with them and their families.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 624 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Shenzhen Kangning Hospital (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Shenzhen, Guangdong)
• Trial ID: NCT04907669 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This implementation study focuses on reducing post-discharge suicide risk among psychiatric patients in China through brief contact interventions (BCIs). It aims to develop an effective intervention strategy by engaging psychiatric patients, their families, and mental health professionals in a community-based participatory research approach. The study will determine the optimal frequency of BCIs using a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial and evaluate the strategy's effectiveness and feasibility through both quantitative and qualitative methods.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include discharged psychiatric patients aged 18 and above diagnosed with psychotic symptoms or major depressive disorder who reside in Shenzhen.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a diagnosis of mental disorder or those who are not living in Shenzhen may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly reduce the risk of suicide among discharged psychiatric patients.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise with brief contact interventions in managing suicide risk, indicating that this approach is supported by existing evidence.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria:

1. For patients in the SMART trial and qualitative interviews

   * Being 18 years and above;
   * Being diagnosed with psychotic symptoms or MDD;
   * Having received in-patient care for three days or more;
   * Living in Shenzhen and having no plan to leave Shenzhen in the following 12 months after discharge;
   * Being able to read text messages, answer phone calls on mobile phones, use WeChat or any application on smart phones.
2. For lay health care supporters (LHSs) in qualitative interviews

   * Being 18 years and above;
   * Being without any diagnosis of mental disorder;
   * Being the lay health care supporter in the family;
   * Living in Shenzhen and having no plan to leave Shenzhen in the following 12 months after discharge;
   * Being able to read text messages, answer phone calls on mobile phones, use WeChat or any application on smart phones.
3. For the clinic and community mental health service providers in qualitative interviews

   * Being 18 years and above;
   * Having practiced in mental health service at least for 12 months.

Exclusion criteria for patients in the SMART trial and qualitative interviews

* Unable to provide written consent due to any cognitive problems.
* Being discharged by the patient's or LHSs' demand against medical advice.
* With no ID, no stable residence nor any source of income.

Where this trial is running

Shenzhen, Guangdong

• Shenzhen Kangning Hospital — Shenzhen, Guangdong, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Fengsu Hou, Ph.D. — Shenzhen Kangning Hospital
• Study coordinator: Fengsu Hou, Ph.D.

Conditions Suicide; Psychiatric patients; Post-discharge suicide; Brief contact interventions; Sequential multiple assignment randomized trial; Implementation science