Inpatient Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to Reduce Suicide Risk Post-Discharge

Inpatient Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to Reduce Suicide Risk Post-Discharge

The goal of this randomized-controlled trial is to determine whether adding brief cognitive-behavioral therapy for suicide prevention (BCBT) to inpatient treatment improves suicide-related outcomes after the person leaves the hospital. The study will also determine whether being diagnosed with a substance use disorder impacts these outcomes. Participants will either receive treatment as usual or treatment as usual plus up to four sessions of BCBT during their inpatient stay. They will complete monthly follow-up assessments for six months after leaving the hospital.

Although inpatient treatment provides immediate stabilization and crisis management for suicidal patients, the risk of suicide post-discharge is substantial, with approximately one third of all suicides by individuals with mental disorders occurring in the 90 days following hospitalization. These data highlight the importance of establishing an empirically-supported inpatient treatment for suicide prevention. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a strong candidate, given that CBT reduces risk in suicidal outpatients. In addition, an open trial was completed that 1) adapted the strongest outpatient CBT protocol for an inpatient setting, 2) demonstrated high levels of feasibility and acceptability, and 3) obtained preliminary estimates of efficacy. The objective here is to conduct a largescale randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing brief cognitive-behavioral therapy for suicide prevention (BCBT) (n = 100) to treatment as usual (TAU, n = 100) to firmly establish efficacy and collect pilot data on treatment implementation metrics. This study aims to determine the efficacy of inpatient BCBT on suicidal behavior, suicidal ideation/intent, and readmission post-treatment and over a 6-month follow-up period. The central hypothesis, based on strong outpatient data, is that inpatient BCBT will reduce suicidal behavior, suicidal ideation/intent, and inpatient readmission over 6 months post-discharge, compared to TAU. Participants will be recruited after inpatient admission following a suicide attempt or with suicidal ideation and plan with suicide attempt within the previous two years. Participants assigned to the BCBT condition will receive four BCBT sessions in addition to treatment as usual. Assessments will occur at intake, discharge, and monthly for six months post-discharge. The proposed study will inform best practices treatment for hospitalized suicidal patients by establishing for the first time, and ultimately disseminating, an empirically-validated inpatient treatment for suicide prevention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Any Gender
• Age 18-65 inclusive
• Fluent in English (speaking, reading, and writing)
• Having made a suicide attempt within one week preceding admission or suicidal ideation and plan on admissions along with suicide attempt within previous two years. Admission will be defined as admission to either the medical floor (in cases where medical stabilization is required prior to transfer to psychiatric inpatient facility) or to psychiatric inpatient facility (in cases where medical stabilization is not required). A suicide attempt will be defined as behavior that is self-directed and deliberately results in injury or the potential for injury to oneself for which there is evidence, whether explicit or implicit, of intent to die.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age <18 or ≥66 years old
• History of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
• History of intellectual disability or organic brain illness
• Active mania or other psychiatric or medical condition that would preclude informed consent or participation in the trial, in the investigator's opinion
• ECT included on patient's inpatient treatment plan. Patients who are referred for ECT after starting the study will be withdrawn from the study.
• Discharge expected within four business days of attending approval.