Community-Based Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Attempters

University of Pennsylvania

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 3

Conditions: Suicide, Attempted

Treatments: Behavioral: CBT; Behavioral: Standard care alone

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT00081367

R01MH067805 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

DSIR 83-ATP

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will determine the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in preventing future suicide attempts in repeat suicide attempters.

Full description

Rates of mental health and substance use disorders are high among economically disadvantaged, ethnic minority populations. Studies have shown that CBT designed for this high-risk population is successful at reducing suicide attempts in people with suicidal thoughts or attempts. This study will implement a CBT intervention into the community and will focus on increasing compliance with psychiatric, substance abuse, and medical treatment.

Participants in this study will be randomly assigned to receive either CBT plus standard care or standard care alone. Participants who receive CBT will have ten weekly sessions of treatment. Suicidal thoughts or attempts, hopelessness, depression, health care utilization, and overall psychological and social adaptation will be assessed. Assessments will be made 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after study completion.

Enrollment: 140 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 16+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Suicide attempt within 48 hours prior to being evaluated at the hospital
• English speaking
• Able to provide 2 verifiable contacts

Exclusion criteria

• Acute, unstable, or severe Axis III disorder or a severe Axis I disorder that may prevent safe participation in outpatient psychotherapy

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

140 participants in 2 patient groups

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) + standard care

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive ten weekly sessions of treatment plus standard care for suicide prevention.

Treatment:

Behavioral: CBT

Behavioral: Standard care alone

Standard care alone

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will receive standard care for suicide prevention.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Standard care alone