Mobile program to reduce suicidal thoughts in Veterans.
Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of the Mobile Intervention for Suicidal Thoughts
NA · VA Office of Research and Development · NCT06593379
This pilot will try a brief mobile program called MIST to reduce harmful suicidal beliefs and thoughts in Veterans with recent suicidal ideation.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development (fed) |
| Locations | 1 site (Durham, North Carolina) |
| Trial ID | NCT06593379 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers developed a brief mobile intervention (MIST) that uses interpretation-bias modification techniques to target a "suicidal belief system" including hopelessness, perceived burdensomeness, and thwarted belongingness. In a randomized pilot, 50 Veterans with recent suicidal ideation will be assigned to MIST plus treatment-as-usual and safety planning or to treatment-as-usual and safety planning alone. The trial will measure whether Veterans find MIST acceptable, are willing to use it, and whether it shows signals of changing suicide-related cognitions. The study is being conducted at the Durham VA Medical Center.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Veterans receiving care through the Durham VA Health Care System who endorsed suicidal ideation without intent in the past 30 days, meet regularly with a mental health provider, and can read at a basic level are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People with current suicidal intent, active psychosis or mania, moderate-to-severe substance use disorder, or who have already used MIST in another study are unlikely to benefit from this pilot.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, MIST could offer a scalable, easy-to-use adjunct to standard care that helps reduce suicidal thoughts by changing harmful beliefs.
How similar studies have performed: Interpretation-bias modification approaches have shown promise for mood and anxiety problems, but applying this method specifically to suicide-related beliefs is relatively novel and not yet widely tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Veterans using the Durham VA Health Care System * Endorsing suicidal ideation without intent in the last 30 days, established via C-SSRS * Meet at least every 4 months with a mental health provider, established via chart review chart * Can read at least 6th grade level material, established by their demonstrated ability to read the consent form and answer basic questions about it Exclusion Criteria: * Currently in a period of active psychosis or mania, established via the SCID-5 * Currently meeting criteria for a moderate or severe alcohol or substance use disorder, established via the SCID-5 * Endorsing suicidal intent, established via C-SSRS * Exhibit current prominent suicidal or homicidal ideation requiring immediate intervention * Have used the MIST intervention before as part of another research study
Where this trial is running
Durham, North Carolina
- Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC — Durham, North Carolina, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kirsten H Dillon, PhD — Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC
- Study coordinator: Kirsten H Dillon, PhD
- Email: Kirsten.Dillon@va.gov
- Phone: (919) 286-0411
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.
Conditions: Suicide, suicide, suicide cognitions, mobile intervention, veterans