Short Intervention Program for Suicide Attempt

No longer recruiting at 2 trial locations

Overseen By Anthony R Pisani, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Rochester

Disqualifiers: Psychiatric instability, Non-English, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 9

Duration: 3 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to identify a quick, effective, and affordable treatment for individuals who have attempted suicide. Participants will receive either usual care through a structured program called Zero Suicide or this usual care combined with a three-session therapy known as ASSIP (Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program). ASSIP assists patients in exploring the events leading up to their suicide attempt and developing a personal safety plan. This trial may suit those in New York State who have attempted suicide in the last 60 days and can communicate in English. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative approaches in suicide prevention.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP) is generally safe for individuals who have attempted suicide. ASSIP consists of three therapy sessions where patients discuss their experiences and develop a personal safety plan.

While specific information about side effects or negative outcomes for this therapy is not available, its non-invasive nature—without medication or surgery—suggests it is likely well-tolerated. The therapy primarily involves conversation and planning with a therapist. Since experiences can vary, discussing any concerns with a healthcare provider is advisable. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

The Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP) is unique because it offers a structured, three-session therapy aimed at deeply understanding the personal story behind a suicide attempt. Traditional treatments often focus on medication and long-term therapy, but ASSIP zeroes in on the emotional and situational triggers through video-based reflection and collaborative safety planning. Researchers are excited about ASSIP because it provides rapid, personalized intervention that can be delivered in-person or via telehealth, potentially making it accessible to a broader audience and offering immediate support to those in need.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for reducing suicide reattempts?

Research has shown that the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP), which participants in this trial may receive, might help individuals who have attempted suicide. ASSIP consists of three therapy sessions where patients discuss their experiences and collaborate with therapists to understand their feelings and develop a safety plan. Some studies suggest that ASSIP may not significantly reduce suicidal behavior compared to regular care alone. However, the program remains promising due to its focus on understanding personal stories and emotions. It is designed as a practical and affordable method to help prevent future suicide attempts. Participants in the other arm of this trial will receive Zero Suicide Usual Care, which includes enhanced protocols for clinical care, staff training, and data collection. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults who have attempted suicide within the last 60 days and are willing to provide emergency contact information. Participants must be able to communicate in English, live in New York State during treatment, and not suffer from acute psychiatric instability like psychosis.

Inclusion Criteria

You have tried to harm or kill yourself in the last 60 days.

Ability and willingness to provide information and permission to contact at least one person in the case of a need to contact them to promote subject safety or inability to reach the subject for follow-up.

Exclusion Criteria

I can communicate in English.

Residing outside of NYS (during the period eligible for ASSIP).

You are currently experiencing severe mental health issues that affect your thinking and perception, such as hearing voices or seeing things that are not real.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive the ASSIP intervention, a manualized 3-session therapy, delivered either in-person or via telehealth

3 weeks

3 visits (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with assessments at multiple time points

18 months

Assessments at baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program
• Zero Suicide Usual Care

Trial Overview The study compares a new short intervention program designed for those who've recently attempted suicide against the standard Zero Suicide care. It aims to find an effective, brief, and low-cost therapy that can reduce future suicide attempts.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Zero Suicide Usual Care + ASSIP Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patients in this treatment arm will receive ASSIP brief therapy in addition to being able to access any usual care as recommended by their provider. ASSIP is a manualized, three-session intervention, delivered either in-person or via telehealth: In Session 1, the therapist guides the patient in telling the story of their attempt. The session is video recorded. In Session 2, the therapist and patient sit side-by-side to view selections of the video, working together to understand the feelings and events that preceded the attempt. The patient is assigned a homework task. In Session 3, the therapist and patient create a summary of the suicide attempt and what led up to it, along with creating a personal safety plan.

Group II: Zero Suicide Usual Care Active Control 1 Intervention

In Onondaga County, New York State (NYS) aims to implement a countywide "Zero Suicide Safety Net" of providers who share enhanced protocols for clinical care, staff training, and data collection (improved coding of suicidal behavior). Participating behavioral health systems have agreed to common protocols for clinical care, training, and data collection. Participating providers receive robust training in suicide prevention best practices. Because of the wide participation of mental health facilities in the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) Zero Suicide project, most subjects who engage in outpatient treatment will receive that treatment in facilities that are adopting NYS Zero Suicide protocols. Those who do not engage in care will nonetheless experience enhanced transition and follow-up contact from the services from which they are discharged.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Rochester

Lead Sponsor

Trials

883

Recruited

555,000+

State University of New York - Upstate Medical University

Collaborator

Trials

176

Recruited

27,600+

Northwestern University

Collaborator

Trials

1,674

Recruited

989,000+

Hutchings Psychiatric Center

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

400+

University of Arkansas

Collaborator

Trials

500

Recruited

153,000+

Citations

1. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032725005841

Randomized controlled trial for the Attempted Suicide Short ... This non-replication study suggests that ASSIP combined with TAU does not significantly reduce suicidal behavior compared to TAU alone.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11453000/

a randomized controlled trial In this investigation, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of ASSIP across diverse healthcare settings, outlining the study design and planned evaluation.

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02505373

ASSIP, Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program. Two ... The authors evaluated the effectiveness of the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP), a novel brief therapy based on a patient-oriented model of ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8529364/

the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP) or ... The aim of this study is to assess if adding one of two structured suicide-specific psychological interventions (Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program [ ...

5. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03732300

Study Details | NCT03732300 | Attempted Suicide Short ... Assessment of efficacy of ASSIP by comparison of the number of patients that committed suicide attempts in the intervention (ASSIP) and the control group.

6. bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-024-06109-z

A study protocol of the effectiveness of the Attempted Suicide ... In this investigation, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of ASSIP across diverse healthcare settings, outlining the study design and planned evaluation.

7. assip.ch assip.ch/

Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program: ASSIP ASSIP is a brief therapy for patients in treatment after a suicide attempt. It is administered as add-on therapy to usual clinical management.