Written Exposure Therapy to prevent suicide in military members
Official title: Written Exposure Therapy for Suicide Prevention (WET-SP)
Run by Boston University · NCT05878795 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a writing therapy to see if it can help military members who have had thoughts of self-harm feel better and stay out of the hospital after treatment.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 160 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Boston University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (San Antonio, Texas) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 20, 2024 |
| Main results expected | September 2027 |
| Study ends | September 2027 |
| Registry record updated | May 29, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05878795 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are active duty military service members or veterans who have been hospitalized for suicidal thoughts or attempts.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients experiencing active psychosis or significant cognitive impairment may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study focuses on military service members who have been admitted to inpatient psychiatry due to self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs). It aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Written Exposure Therapy for Suicide Prevention (WET-SP), a brief psychotherapy intervention designed to help individuals articulate their distressing experiences through writing. The therapy is intended to reduce the risk of post-discharge SITBs and rehospitalizations. Participants will receive WET-SP alongside treatment as usual (TAU) to assess its impact on suicidal ideation and behaviors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could significantly reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors among military service members, improving their mental health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the written exposure paradigm has shown promise in other contexts, this specific adaptation for suicide prevention in military personnel is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Current active duty military service member, veteran, and beneficiaries * Admitted to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center (CRDAMC) for suicidal thoughts, a suicide plan, or a suicide attempt * Elevated levels of suicidal ideation severity in the past two weeks, as indicated by a score \>= 3 on the Depressive Symptom Index-Suicidality Subscale (DSI-SS) * Ability to read, write, and speak English Exclusion Criteria: * Active psychosis as the priority of care for hospitalization * Moderate or greater cognitive impairment (as determined by the inability to comprehend the baseline screening questionnaires) * Unable to provide informed consent
Where it's running
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University of Texas Health Center San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Brian P Marx, PhD — Dept of Psychiatry, Chobanian & Avedisian BU School of Medicine and VA Boston Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Brian P Marx, PhD
- Email: bpmarx@bu.edu
- Phone: 857-364-6071
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.