Suicide Prevention Integration Into Task-shifted Mental Health Interventions

Opportunities for Suicide Prevention Integration Into Task-shifted Mental Health Interventions in Low-resourced Contexts

Investigators will conduct a pilot clinical trial to assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a Suicide Prevention Package (SuPP) within an existing task-shifted depression intervention in rural Pakistan. This pilot research lays the groundwork for a future project to scale a package for multi-level suicide prevention strategies that can be integrated into community based mental health programs, particularly targeting individuals living in low-resourced settings. As the model is designed to be easily adapted and integrated, investigators anticipate the findings will be valuable for all researchers looking to improve population health and mental health services in disadvantaged settings.

The proposed research will (1) examine the epidemiology and health impacts of recurrent suicidal ideation on mothers over time, (2) characterize key features of suicidal ideation and finalize intervention package components within the study context, and (3) conduct a pilot clinical trial to assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a Suicide Prevention Package (SuPP) within an existing task-shifted depression intervention in rural Pakistan. This pilot research lays the groundwork for a future project to scale a package for multi-level suicide prevention strategies that can be integrated into community based mental health programs, particularly targeting individuals living in low-resourced settings. As the model is designed to be easily adapted and integrated, we anticipate the findings will be valuable for all researchers looking to improve population health and mental health services in disadvantaged settings. The focus of this registration is the pilot clinical trial.

A stratified cluster randomized controlled trial design, with 6 village clusters allocated in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention and control arms will be used. The stratification will be level of the Union Council (which is the smallest district administrative unit) and include Sihala and Shah Allah Ditta. While a village cluster (VC) will be the unit of randomization. Each VC will have 900-1400 population of women of reproductive age based within two to three contiguous catchment areas of the government employed community health workers called Lady Health Workers (LHWs). The reason for choosing village cluster as the unit of randomization is to minimize contamination/spillage between trial participants as the intervention will be delivered within community-based households. The intervention (KPZ) and control (EUC) village clusters will be geographically separated and the chance of intervention cluster participants regularly meeting control cluster participants will be negligible.

Inclusion Criteria for trial participants receiving the intervention:

• Speak Urdu fluently
• Be actively receiving care from a clinician
• Have access to a mobile phone
• Intending to reside in the study area for the entire duration of the follow up (approx. six months)
• Has a child 3 years or under or is pregnant

Exclusion Criteria for trial participants receiving the intervention:

• Women requiring immediate inpatient care for any reason (medical or psychiatric)
• Women who do not speak and/or comprehend Urdu language

Inclusion Criteria for Peers and health system stakeholders:

• Speak Urdu fluently
• Be older than 18 at the time of recruitment
• Have access to a mobile phone
• Intending to reside in the study area for the entire duration of the follow up (approx. six months)

Exclusion Criteria for Peers and health system stakeholders:

• Women with untreated suicidality
• Women who do not speak and/or comprehend Urdu language