Counseling for Depression and Suicide Risk

Overseen By Gillian Lashen, Ph.D.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Oregon Health and Science University

Disqualifiers: Non-OHSU residents, fellows, faculty

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: Up to 6 months

4000 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if anonymous online screenings and chats with a clinician can encourage medical residents, fellows, and faculty to attend in-person counseling. The goal is to support those dealing with stress, depression, or suicidal thoughts. By providing a private outreach method, the trial hopes to reduce suicide risk factors among these healthcare professionals. It suits those at OHSU who feel overwhelmed or struggle with these mental health challenges. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative mental health support strategies.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this counseling is safe for distressed medical professionals?

Research has shown that counseling is generally safe for individuals dealing with stress, depression, or suicidal thoughts. In one study on suicide risk, many participants who were asked about suicidal thoughts received further evaluations. Identifying those at risk can lead to more support, which is a crucial aspect of counseling. Counseling offers emotional support and guidance, helping individuals manage their feelings.

Since counseling does not involve medication, it avoids side effects sometimes associated with drugs. Instead, it involves discussing issues with a trained professional, making it very low risk in terms of physical side effects. Overall, counseling is well-tolerated and considered a safe way to support mental health and well-being. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this counseling approach for depression and suicide risk because it offers personalized, in-person support through the RFWP (Respondent-Focused Wellness Program) for those in distress. Unlike medications, which can take weeks to work and may have side effects, this method provides immediate emotional support and tailored guidance. This approach is particularly promising for individuals who might not engage with traditional treatments or who seek help without prior screening, making mental health support more accessible and immediate.

What evidence suggests that counseling is effective for depression and suicide risk?

Research has shown that counseling can help reduce depression and anxiety. In this trial, participants will receive counseling, which studies have shown can noticeably improve mental health, especially when combined with exercise. For instance, one study found that counseling about physical activity had a moderate effect on reducing depression. Another study showed that even small amounts of exercise are linked to lower risks of depression. Overall, counseling, particularly when it encourages physical activity, helps improve mental health. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Marie V Soller, MD

Principal Investigator

Oregon Health and Science University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for OHSU medical residents, fellows, and full-time School of Medicine faculty who may be experiencing stress, depression, substance use issues, or suicidal thoughts. The goal is to see if anonymous online screening can encourage them to seek in-person counseling.

Inclusion Criteria

OHSU medical residents, fellows, and full-time School of Medicine faculty

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Online screening

Treatment

Participants receive in-person counseling through the Resident and Faculty Wellness Program (RFWP) based on their responses to the Interactive Screening Program (ISP)

Up to 6 months

Varies based on individual needs

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in psychological distress, burnout, and suicide risk after treatment

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Counseling

Trial Overview The study tests an online interactive screening tool designed to identify distress signs like depression and suicidal thoughts among medical professionals. It aims to determine if this approach increases their likelihood of pursuing further counseling.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Counseling Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

in-person counseling through RFWP to distressed respondents on the ISP and patients who seek counseling without completing the ISP

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Oregon Health and Science University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,024

Recruited

7,420,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10960795/

Long-term outcomes of physical activity counseling in in- ... Physical activity counseling in out-patients with depression has also been associated with a moderate effect (d = 0.45) [21].

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1755296622000266

The experience of a physical activity counseling ... The aim of this study was to explore how participants receiving a theory-based physical activity counseling intervention experienced the intervention.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8020774/

The Role of Exercise in Management of Mental Health Disorders Most evidence suggests that exercise, particularly aerobic training, improves depression- and anxiety-related outcomes compared with attention control ...

4. bjsm.bmj.com bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/18/1203

Effectiveness of physical activity interventions for improving ... In conclusion, PA is effective for improving depression and anxiety across a very wide range of populations. All PA modes are effective, and higher intensity is ...

5. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2790780

Association Between Physical Activity and Risk of ... In this study, relatively small doses of physical activity were associated with substantially lower risks of depression.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11404670/

Suicide Ideation Screening, Risk Assessment, and Lethal ... This study measured implementation of Zero Suicide (ZS) clinical practices that support identification of suicide risk and risk mitigation.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9889670/

Short-term outcomes of physical activity counseling in in- ... Data pertaining to depression symptoms and self-reported physical activity levels were measured at three time points: four, eight and 12 months after ...

8. cdc.gov cdc.gov/children-mental-health/data-research/index.html

Data and Statistics on Children's Mental Health This page provides data about indicators of positive mental health in children and mental health conditions that are most common in children.

9. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17437199.2024.2391787

Physical activity interventions for the promotion of mental ... Outcomes measured included internalising, self-evaluative, wellbeing, overall symptomatology, resilience, externalising, and trauma outcomes. We found that 63% ...

10. psychiatryonline.org psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ps.20230211

Suicide Screening, Risk Assessment, and Lethal Means ... Of the patients screening positive for suicidal ideation in the mental health setting, 76.8% received a risk assessment, and 82.4% of those ...