Preventing Suicide in Veterans After Discharge from Non-VA Mental Health Care Using the VA Brief Intervention and Contact Program

What this Trial Is About

This research focuses on preventing suicide among Veterans who receive acute psychiatric treatment in non-VA settings affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs VA. It addresses a critical gap since these Veterans are at high risk of suicide after discharge, yet have not been the main focus of existing VA suicide prevention efforts. The study evaluates whether the VA Brief Intervention and Contact Program VA BIC, a promising suicide prevention strategy tailored to Veterans needs, can reduce suicide risk compared to standard care alone. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the VA BIC intervention plus standard care or standard care alone. The VA BIC includes a one-on-one, hour-long educational session on suicide prevention using motivational interviewing techniques, followed by seven regular follow-up contacts to monitor symptoms, review safety plans, and support mental health engagement. Both groups will have access to standard care provided after discharge from non-VA mental health treatment. Veterans aged 18 and older who have had recent suicidal thoughts and received acute psychiatric treatment outside VA settings will be enrolled. Researchers will assess suicidal ideation using the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation, mental health care engagement, social connectedness, and suicide attempts at baseline and at 3, 6, and 9 months after enrollment. The study includes safety monitoring and aims to improve understanding of effective suicide prevention for Veterans in community care settings.

Suicide Prevention After Community Care Discharge