Motivational interviewing to help veterans at high risk for suicide
Motivational Interviewing to Address Suicidal Ideation: A Randomized Controlled Trial With Suicidal Veterans
This study is testing a new approach called Motivational Interviewing to see if it can help veterans at high risk for suicide feel more motivated to live compared to regular care.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 470 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development Federal |
| Locations | 3 sites (Canandaigua, New York and 2 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05256940 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This project aims to conduct a randomized control trial involving 470 veterans to evaluate the effectiveness of a revised version of Motivational Interviewing to Address Suicidal Ideation (MI-SI-R) in reducing suicidal ideation and attempts compared to enhanced usual care. The MI-SI-R intervention consists of three sessions delivered in-person, virtually, or by telephone, focusing on increasing the motivation to live among veterans experiencing suicidal crises. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either MI-SI-R plus enhanced usual care or enhanced usual care alone, with follow-up assessments conducted at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-randomization to measure outcomes. The study is designed to provide insights into effective interventions for high-risk veterans and improve their mental health outcomes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are veterans aged 18 and over who have recently experienced suicidal crises and are able to provide informed consent.
Not a fit: Patients with current psychosis, active mania, dementia, or impaired decision-making capacity may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly reduce suicidal ideation and attempts among high-risk veterans.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary studies have shown success with similar approaches, indicating a potential for positive outcomes in this trial.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Veteran status, * admitted to an inpatient unit, referred by a suicide prevention coordinator, or identified as high-risk via data extraction, * age 18 and over, * English speaking and reading, and * ability to understand the study and provide informed consent, * high-risk status confirmed by suicide attempt within a month on the Columbia- Suicide Severity Rating Scale or a score \> 5 on the Scale for Suicidal Ideation Exclusion Criteria: * current psychosis, * active mania, * dementia, * impaired decision making capacity, and * institutionalization due to hospitalization in a non-VA facility, jail, or prison.
Where this trial is running
Canandaigua, New York and 2 other locations
- VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System, Canandaigua, NY — Canandaigua, New York, United States (Recruiting)
- VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR — Portland, Oregon, United States (Recruiting)
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC — Charleston, South Carolina, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Peter C. Britton, PhD MS — VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System, Canandaigua, NY
- Study coordinator: Richard J Servatius, PhD
- Email: Richard.Servatius@va.gov
- Phone: (315) 744-3370
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.