Army-SPRING for Suicide Prevention

Recruiting at 2 trial locations

Overseen By Lily A Brown, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 1

Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

57 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to find better ways to support Suicide Intervention Officers in the Connecticut Army National Guard. It will test a new support program, called Army-SPRING, to determine if it improves job performance and reduces suicide risk among soldiers. The trial compares this program to standard training. It seeks participants currently serving as Suicide Intervention Officers or chaplains in the Connecticut Army National Guard. As a Phase 1 trial, this research focuses on understanding how the new support program works in people, offering participants the opportunity to be among the first to experience its potential benefits.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants must stop taking their current medications.

What prior data suggests that the Army-SPRING method is safe for Suicide Intervention Officers?

A previous study provided limited information about the safety of the Army-SPRING program. As this is an early-stage trial, researchers focus on understanding how the program functions and how best to support Suicide Intervention Officers. Consequently, detailed safety information is not yet available. However, early trials typically involve close monitoring to ensure participant safety.

No specific side effects or risks have been reported for Army-SPRING so far. The program aims to assist those already working in suicide prevention and does not involve new medications or invasive procedures, which generally makes it easier to manage. If the program were approved for use in other settings, it would indicate prior safe use, but that is not the case here. As the program is still under testing, researchers will closely monitor any potential risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike traditional suicide prevention approaches that often rely on counseling and medication, Army-SPRING is unique because it integrates a comprehensive package of implementation options specifically designed for the military context. Researchers are excited about this trial because it aims to tailor suicide prevention strategies to the specific needs and experiences of National Guard service members, potentially increasing engagement and effectiveness. By focusing on the practical application of prevention duties within the military environment, Army-SPRING could offer a more relevant and impactful solution compared to general civilian-based interventions.

What evidence suggests that Army-SPRING is effective for suicide prevention?

Research has shown that programs like Army-SPRING, tested in this trial, might help lower suicide risk in military units by supporting Suicide Intervention Officers. Early results suggest that providing these officers with better tools and advice can enhance their ability to connect soldiers in crisis with necessary help. The Army-SPRING program includes methods to improve how these officers perform their suicide prevention tasks. Although solid data remains limited, strengthening support for these officers is expected to yield better outcomes. This is crucial due to the high suicide rates among young enlisted men in the military. Participants in this trial will either receive the Army-SPRING program or join a Risk Reduction Group, which serves as the control arm. ^{2 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Lily Brown, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Pennsylvania

Ashley Hagaman, PhD

Principal Investigator

Yale University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Suicide Intervention Officers in the Connecticut Army National Guard. It aims to support them in their role of providing suicide intervention, monitoring soldiers in crisis, and connecting them with resources.

Inclusion Criteria

Serving as an SIO or chaplain/religious affairs specialist for a unit of the CTARNG

Willing to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

N/A

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Preparatory Work

6 months of preparatory work with the community advisory board to collect feedback and provide input throughout the study

6 months

Feedback Collection

Collect feedback from Army National Guard Soldiers, their families, Chaplains, and leadership on reducing suicide risk

6 months

Intervention

Compare two strategies to support Suicide Intervention Officers, including training and community support

1 year

Follow-up

Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention strategies on reducing suicide risk

3 years

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Army-SPRING

Trial Overview The study is testing a new support program called Army-SPRING against the current standard practice. The goal is to see if this additional support can help reduce suicide risks within military units.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Army-SPRING Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Army-SPRING includes a package of implementation options to support implementation of suicide prevention duties

Group II: Risk Reduction Group (Control) Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Risk Reduction Group is a mandated training from National Guard Service members

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Pennsylvania

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,118

Recruited

45,270,000+

Yale University

Collaborator

Trials

1,963

Recruited

3,046,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a randomized controlled trial with 148 U.S. Army Soldiers, the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) was found to significantly reduce suicidal ideation (SI) compared to enhanced care as usual (E-CAU) by 3 months, with a strong effect size (Cohen's d = 0.93).

Both CAMS and E-CAU led to improvements in various behavioral health outcomes, but CAMS showed a notable advantage in reducing suicidal thoughts, highlighting its potential as an effective intervention for Soldiers with significant suicidal ideation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality versus Enhanced Care as Usual With Suicidal Soldiers. Jobes, DA., Comtois, KA., Gutierrez, PM., et al.[2019]

A pilot trial involving 36 military personnel hospitalized after a suicide attempt tested Post-Admission Cognitive Therapy (PACT), which showed promising results in improving depression and PTSD symptoms compared to enhanced usual care.

While there was no significant difference in the rate of repeat suicide attempts between the two groups, a higher percentage of participants receiving PACT experienced clinically significant improvements in depression (100% vs. 78%) and PTSD symptoms (100% vs. 38%).

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pilot trial of post-admission cognitive therapy: Inpatient program for suicide prevention. LaCroix, JM., Perera, KU., Neely, LL., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06547008?cond=Suicide&lastUpdPost=2020-03-23_&viewType=Table&rank=4

Army-SPRING Army-Suicide Prevention Research Study Overview. Brief Summary. Every unit in the Connecticut Army National Guard has a Suicide Intervention Officer to provide suicide intervention education ...

2. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/296396/army-spring-army-suicide-prevention-research/

Army-SPRING Army-Suicide Prevention Research Every unit in the Connecticut Army National Guard has a Suicide Intervention Officer to provide suicide intervention education awareness for ...

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-1-suicide-8-2024-1d23f

Army-SPRING for Suicide Prevention What is the purpose of this trial? Every unit in the Connecticut Army National Guard has a Suicide Intervention Officer to provide suicide intervention ...

4. dspo.mil dspo.mil/Portals/113/2024/documents/annual_report/ARSM_CY23_final_508c.pdf

Annual Report on Suicide in the Military Comparisons were made after accounting for age and sex differences. Young enlisted males accounted for the largest number of suicide deaths.

5. armyupress.army.mil armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/Online-Exclusive/2024-OLE/Suicide-Prevention/

Reconsidering Our Approach to Suicide Prevention Third, our current prevention paradigm, the Ask–Care–Escort–Suicide Intervention (ACE-SI) model with the resulting over-reliance on the behavioral health system ...

6. army.mil army.mil/article/279514/dha_public_health_army_suicide_study_emphasizes_firearm_storage_safety_policies_as_effective_strategies_in_suicide_prevention

DHA-Public Health Army Suicide Study Emphasizes ... “For example, gunshot wounds accounted for a substantial percentage of suicides. This information is critical for approaches to prevent suicide, ...

7. army.mil army.mil/article/283647/encouraging_lethal_means_safety_to_prevent_suicide_in_the_army

Encouraging Lethal Means Safety to Prevent Suicide in the ... Safely storing firearms can save lives by adding time and distance between someone making the decision and taking action.