Peer-Delivered Recovery-Focused Suicide Prevention Program for Veterans with Serious Mental Illness

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a peer-delivered recovery program called SUPPORT for Veterans with serious mental illness SMI, such as psychotic or bipolar disorders, who are at increased risk for suicide. The study aims to refine and pilot this intervention, which focuses on helping Veterans identify warning signs, develop wellness tools, and create personalized recovery plans to improve functional and social recovery and reduce suicidal thoughts. This study is conducted in two phases, including a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing SUPPORT with enhanced standard care. The SUPPORT intervention involves weekly 50-minute sessions led by a Peer Specialist who works closely with Veterans after a mental health evaluation. The Peer Specialist helps create a personalized suicide-focused recovery plan tailored to the Veterans experiences, using cognitive learning strategies to enhance safety plan recall and recovery. The comparison group receives enhanced standard care, which includes suicide risk assessments, safety planning, mental health referrals, and follow-up contacts. The study includes training Peer Specialists and gathering feedback from both Veterans and Peer Specialists. Participants will be assessed at baseline, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and three months after treatment using various questionnaires and interviews to measure recovery progress, suicidal ideation severity, and satisfaction with the intervention. Outcomes include feasibility of recruitment and retention, acceptability of SUPPORT, and changes in suicide ideation and personal recovery. The study lasts approximately five years, with ongoing monitoring and data collection throughout the intervention and follow-up periods.

A Novel Peer-Delivered Recovery-Focused Suicide Prevention Intervention for Veterans With Serious Mental Illness