RecruitingNot Applicable

Just-in-time Interventions for Reducing Short-term Suicide Risk

United States185 participantsStarted 2024-11-19

Plain-language summary

The goal of this study is to test the effects of just-in-time intervention strategies aimed to promote implementation of the safety plan and its components at different levels of suicidal urges and intent. The main questions the investigators aim to answer are: 1. What is the acceptability and feasibility of the just-in-time intervention strategies? 2. What are the proximal effects of just-in-time intervention strategies aimed to promote use of the safety plan and its components? 3. What internal and external contextual factors moderate the just-in-time intervention effects? Participants (adults hospitalized for suicidal thoughts or behaviors) will: * Answer questions about current suicidal thoughts on their smartphone up to 4 times each day during both hospitalization and the 4 weeks after they leave the hospital * Each time they submit a survey, be immediately randomized to receive (or not receive) a just-in-time intervention tailored to their level of current suicidal thoughts * Answer brief follow-up questions on their smartphone within a couple hours of each randomization * Provide feedback on their experience with the just-in-time interventions

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Experiencing suicidal thoughts as part of their inpatient admission * Access to a smartphone following discharge * Ability to speak and write English fluently Exclusion Criteria: * Any factor that impairs the ability to effectively participate in the study (e.g., significant cognitive impairment, intellectual disability, presence of violent behavior, psychotic illness/symptoms determined by the treating clinician to impair ability to understand the study or provide informed consent) * Failure to correctly answer all true/false questions in the consent form

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Self-reported safety plan and coping strategy use

Timeframe: Within two hours of each micro-randomization

Self-reported momentary suicidal urges and intent

Timeframe: Within two hours of each micro-randomization

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05793541

SponsorMassachusetts General Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-12

Contact for this trial

Kate Bentley, PhD

617-724-7741 kbentley@mgh.harvard.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Suicide trials