Actively Recruiting
Investigating the Efficacy of Brief Skills for Safer Living (Brief-SfSL) in Adults at Risk of Suicide: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Led by Unity Health Toronto · Updated on 2026-01-22
150
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
13 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of Brief Skills for Safer Living (Brief-SfSL), a single-session psychotherapy designed to reduce suicidal thoughts and related symptoms. This randomized controlled trial involves 150 adults across Canada at risk of suicide, comparing immediate treatment plus usual care (B-TAU) to usual care with a 3-month waitlist before treatment (WL-TAU). The study aims to measure changes in suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, and other mental health factors over three months. Participants are randomly assigned to two groups: one receives Brief-SfSL within one week of screening, and the other waits three months before receiving the same intervention. Brief-SfSL is a 90-minute session that helps participants understand their suicidal thoughts, develop safety skills, and improve safety planning. This trial tests whether Brief-SfSL plus usual care is more effective than usual care alone. During the study, participants will complete assessments on suicidal ideation using the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation and other measures such as depression, anxiety, anhedonia, social connectedness, emotional regulation, and functioning. Safety is monitored through adverse event tracking. The primary evaluation occurs from baseline to three months after the intervention, with ongoing monitoring throughout the study period.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Brief Skills for Safer Living (Brief-SfSL)
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Suicidal ideation in the past week
- Access to a computer or phone with a camera
- Access to internet
- Access to an emergency contact and hospital within commuting distance
- Not receiving other psychotherapy or counselling services at the same time
- Willing to have the therapy session recorded to check treatment quality
- Any psychiatric diagnosis is allowed
- Follow-up visits with a psychiatrist or family doctor without psychotherapeutic therapy are allowed
You will not qualify if you...
- Unable to participate in psychotherapy conducted in English
- Cognitive impairment limiting consent or understanding of the therapy
- Active psychosis
- Unwilling or unable to give informed consent
- Previously took part in the Brief-SfSL pilot study
- Unable or unwilling to communicate verbally
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or virtual)
Duration - 1 session within 1 week of screening for the treatment group; 3 months wait for the wait-list group before receiving the session
Participants receive a single 90-minute Brief Skills for Safer Living (Brief-SfSL) psychotherapy session that helps them understand suicidal thoughts, build safety skills, and create an enhanced safety plan.
1 treatment session
Duration - 3 months
Participants are monitored for changes in suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, and other outcomes over 3 months following the intervention or wait-list period.
Regular follow-up assessments over 3 months
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
St. Michael's Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5B 1M8
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Anna Kiriakidis, RSSW, HBASc
O
Onjoli Krywiak, HBSc
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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