Suicide prevention is a top priority for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), with a major emphasis on developing innovative and effective ways to prevent firearm suicide. Research suggests that secure firearm storage can decrease risk for suicide and the current project aims to evaluate a novel approach to increasing secure storage through an experimental design. The intervention takes one-hour or less and involves a peer-to-peer discussion about secure firearm storage, focusing on participants' reasons for and against using more secure firearm storage practices. The project will evaluate whether Veterans who receive this intervention report greater use of secure firearm storage practices than Veterans who receive only psychoeducational materials on this topic. Secure firearm storage practices will be evaluated over the course of one year. It is hypothesized that Veterans who engage in the peer-to-peer intervention will report greater use of secure firearm storage practices than those who receive only psychoeducational materials. Relevant to Veterans' health, secure firearm storage decreases Veteran firearm suicide risk and may help prevent suicide. In addition, this peer-delivered intervention is preferred by Veterans, and has the flexibility to be implemented before suicide risk develops and in settings outside of the VA. This means the intervention has the potential to reach more Veterans, even those who do not receive VA healthcare.
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
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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.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Modified MIRECC Lethal Means Questionnaire
Timeframe: Eligibility Screening, Baseline, Follow-ups (1-week, 6-months, 1-year)
Theory of Planned Behavior
Timeframe: Baseline and Follow-ups (1-week, 6-months, 1-year)
Beliefs and Attitudes about Firearms and Suicide
Timeframe: Baseline and Follow-ups (1-week, 6-months, 1-year)
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
Timeframe: Baseline and Follow-ups (1-week, 6-months, 1-year)