A Lived Experience Co-Designed Study Protocol for a Randomised Control Trial: The Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP) or Brief Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as Additional Interventions After a Suicide Attempt Compared to a Standard Suicide Prevention Pathway (SPP).

Abstract

Background Despite being preventable, suicide is a leading cause of death and a major global public health problem. For every death by suicide, many more suicide attempts are undertaken, and this presents as a critical risk factor for suicide. Currently there are limited treatment options with limited underpinning research for those who present to Emergency Departments with suicidal behaviour. The aim of this study is to assess if adding one of two structured suicide specific psychological interventions (Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program [ASSIP] or Brief Cognitive Behavioural Therapy [CBT] for Suicide Prevention) to a standardised clinical care approach (Suicide Prevention Pathway [SPP]) improves outcomes for consumers presenting to a Mental Health Service with a suicide attempt. Methods This is a randomised controlled trial with blinding of those assessing the outcomes. People who attempt suicide or experience suicidality after a suicide attempt, present to the Gold Coast Mental Health and Specialist Services, are placed on the Suicide Prevention Pathway (SPP) and meet the eligibility criteria, are offered the opportunity to participate. A total of 411 participants will be recruited for the study, with 137 allocated to each cohort (participants are randomised to SPP, ASSIP + SPP, or CBT + SPP). The primary outcomes of this study are re-presentation to hospital with suicide attempt and/or suicidal ideations. Death by suicide rates will also be examined. Self-reported level of suicidality, depression, anxiety, stress, resilience, problem-solving skills, self- and therapist-reported level of therapeutic engagement are also being examined. Psychometric data are collected at baseline, end of interventions, 6,12, and 24 months. Discussion This project will move both ASSIP and Brief CBT from efficacy to effectiveness research, with clear aims of assessing the addition of two structured psychological interventions to treatment as usual, providing a cost-benefit analysis of the interventions, thus delivering outcomes providing a clear pathway for rapid translation of successful interventions. Trials registration : NCT04072666 - Registered on 28th August 2019 on Clinical Trials US Gov (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04072666?term=NCT04072666&draw=2&rank=1) and ANZCTR (https://www.anzctr.org.au/TrialSearch.aspx)