Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Deaf CBT-TS to Reduce Suicide Risk

United States110 participantsStarted 2026-09

Plain-language summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a short, Zoom-based intervention, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Treatment-Seeking for Deaf Individuals (Deaf CBT-TS) can change beliefs about mental health treatment and increase treatment-seeking behaviors in Deaf adults with untreated mental health or alcohol use problems. It will also see if Deaf CBT-TS may reduce suicide risk and explore factors that may increase the effectiveness of Deaf CBT-TS. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does Deaf CBT-TS increase positive beliefs about treatment and increase treatment-seeking behaviors? * Does Deaf CBT-TS increase hope and reduce mental health symptoms, suicide ideation, and alcohol use? * Is Deaf CBT-TS more effective for individuals with less cultural stress compared to those with high levels of cultural stress? * Is Deaf CBT-TS more effective for Deaf individuals in residential areas with more Deaf resources than those with less Deaf resources? Researchers will compare individuals who complete Deaf CBT-TS to those on a waitlist to see if Deaf CBT-TS works to increase positive beliefs about treatment and treatment-seeking behaviors. Participants will: * Complete a baseline assessment including demographic information, measures of hope, general mental health and functioning, alcohol use, suicide ideation, cultural stress, and beliefs about treatment. * Receive Deaf CBT-TS (2 sessions) or be placed on a waitlist with the option of receiving Deaf CBT-Ts after 4 months * Complete two follow-up assessments in 2 and 4 months.

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: * adult (aged 18 years or older) * Self-identify as Deaf or hard of hearing (any degree of hearing loss) * Primary method of communication is American Sign Language * Positive screen for one or more mental health disorders including depression (PHQ-9 \> 10), anxiety (GAD-7 \> 10), posttraumatic stress disorder (PCL-5 \> 31), insomnia (ISI \> 15), or alcohol use disorder (AUDIT \> 16) * No current professional mental health or alcohol specialty treatment (e.g., counseling, psychiatric services) per standardized self-report * Access to video chat technology with internet and webcam. Exclusion criteria: * unable to communicate with the researcher in American Sign Language * current alcohol withdrawal necessitating medical evaluation * current psychiatric impairment necessitating emergency services or inpatient admission (i.e., imminent danger of harm to self or others) * unable to comprehend the nature of the study

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

Beliefs About Treatment

Timeframe: Baseline to 2-month follow-up

Beliefs About Treatment (4 months)

Timeframe: Baseline to 4-month follow-up

Treatment Initiation

Timeframe: Baseline to 2-month follow-up

Treatment Initiation (4 months)

Timeframe: Baseline to 4-month follow-up

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07279363

SponsorUniversity of Rochester

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2029-05

Contact for this trial

Aileen Aldalur, Ph.D. Clinical Psychology

585-371-6125 (call only) aileen_aldalur@urmc.rochester.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Depression - Major Depressive Disorder trials