Using a smartphone app to help prevent suicide in veterans after hospital discharge
Virtual Hope Box Enhanced Facilitation in High-Risk Suicidal Veterans
NA · VA Office of Research and Development · NCT06378541
This study is testing a smartphone app designed to help prevent suicide in veterans after they leave the hospital by providing support and resources to manage their mental health.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 928 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development (fed) |
| Locations | 1 site (Ann Arbor, Michigan) |
| Trial ID | NCT06378541 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study tests the effectiveness of the Virtual Hope Box Enhanced Facilitation (VHB-EF) intervention in reducing suicide risk among veterans discharged from inpatient psychiatric care. The intervention includes an in-person session to help veterans download and use the Virtual Hope Box app, followed by remote follow-up calls to monitor suicide risk and support app usage. The study also aims to gather insights from veterans and healthcare providers about the barriers and facilitators to adopting this intervention in healthcare settings. By enhancing access to evidence-based suicide prevention resources, the study seeks to improve outcomes for high-risk veterans.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are veterans aged 18 or older who have recently experienced a suicidal crisis and are medically stable.
Not a fit: Patients who do not understand English or are currently incarcerated may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly reduce suicide risk among veterans after they leave inpatient care.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using technology-based interventions for suicide prevention, but this specific approach is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Those enrolled in the RCT component of this study must be: * 1\) Veterans aged 18 or older * 2\) admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit for a recent suicidal crisis * 3\) medically stable (the patient's medical and psychological fitness \[including aggression\] to provide informed consent will be determined by a member of the patient's treatment team) * 4\) A score of 3 or greater on the Callahan 6-item cognitive screening. * 5\) report current suicidal ideation (Scale for Suicidal Ideation \[SSI\]; sum of items 4 and 5 \> 0, referencing the week prior to their hospitalization) as reported during the screening interview * 6\) no reported use of the VHB within the past 12-months * 7\) access to a smartphone to download the VHB app Exclusion Criteria: Veterans will be found ineligible for the program if: * 1\) do not understand English * 2\) are prisoners * 3\) are unable to provide informed consent * 4\) have profound psychotic symptoms and/or cognitive deficits that would prevent patients from understanding the content of the intervention and/or assessments * 5\) to not have access to a smartphone
Where this trial is running
Ann Arbor, Michigan
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI — Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Courtney L Bagge, PhD MA — VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI
- Study coordinator: Courtney L Bagge, PhD MA
- Email: Courtney.Bagge@va.gov
- Phone: (734) 845-3436
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 Prevention, Suicide Attempt, Suicide Ideation, smartphone application, suicide prevention, virtual hope box, veterans