Suicide, AttemptedNCT03894462
Study About Treatment After a Suicide Attempt
A study testing Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program in people with Suicide, Attempted, run by University of Rochester at 3 sites in United States.
Trial summary
Effective, brief, low-cost interventions for individuals who attempt suicide are needed to save lives and achieve the goals of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. In response to a National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) Notice of Interest, this time-sensitive proposal leverages an existing federal… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Suicide, Attempted
- What is being tested?
- Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 443 participants
- Where
- 3 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Apr 2021to 1 Jun 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 18 years or older.
- Suicide attempt within the past 60 days defined by intent to die using a standard item.
- Ability and willingness to provide information and permission to contact at least one person in the case of a need to contact them to promote subject safety or inability to reach the subject for follow-up.
Who cannot join
- Acute psychiatric instability (e.g., psychotic symptoms).
- Inability to communicate in English (ASSIP is only provided by the clinic in English).
- Residing outside of NYS (during the period eligible for ASSIP)
Trial locations and contacts
3 sites in 1 country.
United States3 sites
University of Rochester Medical Center
Rochester, New York, 14604
St. Joseph's Health Hospital
Syracuse, New York, 13203
Upstate University Hospital
Syracuse, New York, 13210
About this study
Official title: Effectiveness of a Targeted Brief Intervention for Recent Suicide Attempt Survivors
Effective, brief, low-cost interventions for individuals who attempt suicide are needed to save lives and achieve the goals of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. In response to a National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) Notice of Interest, this time-sensitive proposal leverages an existing federal investment in Zero Suicide to test the effectiveness of a highly promising new treatment for recent suicide attempt survivors and learn how it works. If hypotheses are supported, the study will provide evidence of a brief, practical, and cost-effective therapy that reduces suicide reattempts in a real-world health setting.
Read the detailed description
Suicide rates are rising in the US and more than a million Americans try to take their own lives each year. Effective, brief, low-cost interventions for individuals who attempt suicide are essential to saving lives and achieving the goals of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. This study takes advantage of a time-sensitive research opportunity to test the effectiveness of the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP), a manualized 3-session intervention for recent suicide attempt survivors that produced dramatic reductions in suicide attempts in a efficacy trial-80% fewer reattempts and an average of 72% fewer hospital days over 24 months in the intervention group compared to controls. This research will now test its effectiveness of in the US public mental health care system, examine theoretically grounded mechanisms, and explore cost-effectiveness. ASSIP is currently being implemented by New York State in a Zero Suicide initiative funded by SAMHSA. Consistent with NIMH Notice of Interest MH-17-03, this project leverages this federal investment and a strong state partnership to conduct effectiveness research.
Effectiveness. The primary aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of ASSIP in reducing suicide reattempts in a community mental health setting in the U.S. To accomplish this aim the investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial with 400 individuals referred from psychiatric inpatient and emergency services following a suicide attempt. Participants will be randomized to receive either usual care + ASSIP (intervention arm) or usual care only (control arm), and followed for assessments at baseline, 6-weeks 3-, 6-, 12-, and 18-months.
Mechanism. The secondary aim of this study to examine the psychological mechanisms of ASSIP, as predicted by the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide. To accomplish this aim the investigators will conduct statistical analyses of a mediation model to determine (a) whether ASSIP improves perceptions of low belonging and being a burden on others, and (b) whether the effect of treatment on reductions in suicide re-attempts is mediated by these improvements.
Cost-Effectiveness. The exploratory aim is to identify potential implementation costs, barriers, and facilitators for delivering ASSIP. A stakeholder summary report will be written and disseminated, including an estimate, from the perspective of an ASSIP provider, the incremental cost per suicide attempt averted by delivering ASSIP to supplement usual care following a suicide attempt. This report can be used by organizations and localities considering implementing ASSIP as part of their Zero Suicide strategy.
- Conditions
- Suicide, Attempted
- Being tested
- Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program, Zero Suicide Usual Care
- Keywords
- Zero Suicide, Effectiveness, Brief Treatment, Interpersonal Theory, Cost-Effectiveness
- Medical subject headings
- Suicide, Attempted
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Attempted Suicide Short Intervention ProgramBehavioural
ASSIP is a manualized, three-session intervention, delivered either in-person or via telehealth: In Session 1, the therapist guides the patient in telling the story of their attempt. The session is video recorded. In Session 2, the therapist and patient sit side-by-side to view selections of the video, working together to understand the feelings and events that preceded the attempt. The patient is assigned a homework task. In Session 3, the therapist and patient create a summary of the suicide attempt and what led up to it, along with creating a personal safety plan.
Zero Suicide Usual CareBehavioural
Participants will have access to outpatient treatment in facilities that are adopting NYS Zero Suicide protocols. Those who do not engage in care will nonetheless experience enhanced transition and follow-up contact from the services from which they are discharged.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Zero Suicide Usual Care | Active comparator | In Onondaga County, New York State (NYS) aims to implement a countywide "Zero Suicide Safety Net" of providers who share enhanced protocols for clinical care, staff training, and data collection (improved coding of suicidal behavior). Participating behavioral health systems have agreed to common protocols for clinical care, training, and data collection. Participating providers receive robust training in suicide prevention best practices. Because of the wide participation of mental health facilities in the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) Zero Suicide project, most subjects who engage in outpatient treatment will receive that treatment in facilities that are adopting NYS Zero Suicide protocols. Those who do not engage in care will nonetheless experience enhanced transition and follow-up contact from the services from which they are discharged. Receives: Behavioral: Zero Suicide Usual Care |
| Zero Suicide Usual Care + ASSIP | Experimental | Patients in this treatment arm will receive ASSIP brief therapy in addition to being able to access any usual care as recommended by their provider.
ASSIP is a manualized, three-session intervention, delivered either in-person or via telehealth: In Session 1, the therapist guides the patient in telling the story of their attempt. The session is video recorded. In Session 2, the therapist and patient sit side-by-side to view selections of the video, working together to understand the feelings and events that preceded the attempt. The patient is assigned a homework task. In Session 3, the therapist and patient create a summary of the suicide attempt and what led up to it, along with creating a personal safety plan. Receives: Behavioral: Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Time to Suicide Attempt
Time from randomization to first suicide re-attempt
Measured: Up to 18 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Mar 2019
- Study start1 Apr 2021
- Primary completion1 Jun 2026
- Study completion1 Jun 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Suicide, AttemptedStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Randomized controlled trial
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Care provider
- Enrolment
- 443 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Rochester
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Northwestern University, Hutchings Psychiatric Center, University of Arkansas, State University of New York - Upstate Medical University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Anthony Pisani, University of Rochester
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03894462
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 3353
- Status last verified
- Oct 2024
- First submitted
- 12 Feb 2019
- Last updated
- 1 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Gysin-Maillart A, Schwab S, Soravia L, Megert M, Michel K. A Novel Brief Therapy for Patients Who Attempt Suicide: A 24-months Follow-Up Randomized Controlled Study of the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP). PLoS Med. 2016 Mar 1;13(3):e1001968. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001968. eCollection 2016 Mar.
PubMed 26930055Pisani A, Connor K, Van Orden K, Jordan N, Landes S, Curran G, McDermott M, Ertefaie A, Kelberman C, Ramanathan S, Carruthers J, Mossgraber K, Goldston D. Effectiveness of a targeted brief intervention for recent suicide attempt survivors: a randomised controlled trial protocol. BMJ Open. 2023 Mar 3;13(3):e070105. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070105.
PubMed 36868590Witt KG, Hetrick SE, Rajaram G, Hazell P, Taylor Salisbury TL, Townsend E, Hawton K. Psychosocial interventions for self-harm in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Apr 22;4(4):CD013668. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013668.pub2.
PubMed 33884617
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effectiveness of a Targeted Brief Intervention for Recent Suicide Attempt Survivors
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03894462
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 3353
- Conditions
- Suicide, Attempted
- Keywords
- Zero Suicide, Effectiveness, Brief Treatment, Interpersonal Theory, Cost-Effectiveness
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 443 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of RochesterUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Northwestern University, Hutchings Psychiatric Center, University of Arkansas, State University of New York - Upstate Medical University
- Study start
- 1 Apr 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Jun 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 28 Mar 2019 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Effective, brief, low-cost interventions for individuals who attempt suicide are needed to save lives and achieve the goals of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. In response to a National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) Notice of Interest, this time-sensitive proposal leverages an existing federal investment in Zero Suicide to test the effectiveness of a highly promising new treatment for recent suicide attempt survivors and learn how it works. If hypotheses are supported, the study will provide evidence of a brief, practical, and cost-effective therapy that reduces suicide reattempts in a real-world health setting.
Detailed description
Suicide rates are rising in the US and more than a million Americans try to take their own lives each year. Effective, brief, low-cost interventions for individuals who attempt suicide are essential to saving lives and achieving the goals of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. This study takes advantage of a time-sensitive research opportunity to test the effectiveness of the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP), a manualized 3-session intervention for recent suicide attempt survivors that produced dramatic reductions in suicide attempts in a efficacy trial-80% fewer reattempts and an average of 72% fewer hospital days over 24 months in the intervention group compared to controls. This research will now test its effectiveness of in the US public mental health care system, examine theoretically grounded mechanisms, and explore cost-effectiveness. ASSIP is currently being implemented by New York State in a Zero Suicide initiative funded by SAMHSA. Consistent with NIMH Notice of Interest MH-17-03, this project leverages this federal investment and a strong state partnership to conduct effectiveness research.
Effectiveness. The primary aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of ASSIP in reducing suicide reattempts in a community mental health setting in the U.S. To accomplish this aim the investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial with 400 individuals referred from psychiatric inpatient and emergency services following a suicide attempt. Participants will be randomized to receive either usual care + ASSIP (intervention arm) or usual care only (control arm), and followed for assessments at baseline, 6-weeks 3-, 6-, 12-, and 18-months.
Mechanism. The secondary aim of this study to examine the psychological mechanisms of ASSIP, as predicted by the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide. To accomplish this aim the investigators will conduct statistical analyses of a mediation model to determine (a) whether ASSIP improves perceptions of low belonging and being a burden on others, and (b) whether the effect of treatment on reductions in suicide re-attempts is mediated by these improvements.
Cost-Effectiveness. The exploratory aim is to identify potential implementation costs, barriers, and facilitators for delivering ASSIP. A stakeholder summary report will be written and disseminated, including an estimate, from the perspective of an ASSIP provider, the incremental cost per suicide attempt averted by delivering ASSIP to supplement usual care following a suicide attempt. This report can be used by organizations and localities considering implementing ASSIP as part of their Zero Suicide strategy.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (care provider)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Randomized controlled trial
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Zero Suicide Usual Care | Active comparator | Behavioral: Zero Suicide Usual CareIn Onondaga County, New York State (NYS) aims to implement a countywide "Zero Suicide Safety Net" of providers who share enhanced protocols for clinical care, staff training, and data collection (improved coding of suicidal behavior). Participating behavioral health systems have agreed to common protocols for clinical care, training, and data collection. Participating providers receive robust training in suicide prevention best practices. Because of the wide participation of mental health facilities in the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) Zero Suicide project, most subjects who engage in outpatient treatment will receive that treatment in facilities that are adopting NYS Zero Suicide protocols. Those who do not engage in care will nonetheless experience enhanced transition and follow-up contact from the services from which they are discharged. |
| Zero Suicide Usual Care + ASSIP | Experimental | Behavioral: Attempted Suicide Short Intervention ProgramPatients in this treatment arm will receive ASSIP brief therapy in addition to being able to access any usual care as recommended by their provider. ASSIP is a manualized, three-session intervention, delivered either in-person or via telehealth: In Session 1, the therapist guides the patient in telling the story of their attempt. The session is video recorded. In Session 2, the therapist and patient sit side-by-side to view selections of the video, working together to understand the feelings and events that preceded the attempt. The patient is assigned a homework task. In Session 3, the therapist and patient create a summary of the suicide attempt and what led up to it, along with creating a personal safety plan. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- 18 years or older.
- Suicide attempt within the past 60 days defined by intent to die using a standard item.
- Ability and willingness to provide information and permission to contact at least one person in the case of a need to contact them to promote subject safety or inability to reach the subject for follow-up.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Acute psychiatric instability (e.g., psychotic symptoms).
- Inability to communicate in English (ASSIP is only provided by the clinic in English).
- Residing outside of NYS (during the period eligible for ASSIP)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Attempted Suicide Short Intervention ProgramASSIP is a manualized, three-session intervention, delivered either in-person or via telehealth: In Session 1, the therapist guides the patient in telling the story of their attempt. The session is video recorded. In Session 2, the therapist and patient sit side-by-side to view selections of the video, working together to understand the feelings and events that preceded the attempt. The patient is assigned a homework task. In Session 3, the therapist and patient create a summary of the suicide attempt and what led up to it, along with creating a personal safety plan. | Behavioural | Zero Suicide Usual Care + ASSIP |
| Zero Suicide Usual CareParticipants will have access to outpatient treatment in facilities that are adopting NYS Zero Suicide protocols. Those who do not engage in care will nonetheless experience enhanced transition and follow-up contact from the services from which they are discharged. | Behavioural | Zero Suicide Usual Care |
Primary outcome
Time to Suicide Attempt
Time frame: Up to 18 months
Time from randomization to first suicide re-attempt
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 Jul 2026.
- Background: PubMed 26930055Gysin-Maillart A, Schwab S, Soravia L, Megert M, Michel K. A Novel Brief Therapy for Patients Who Attempt Suicide: A 24-months Follow-Up Randomized Controlled Study of the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP). PLoS Med. 2016 Mar 1;13(3):e1001968. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001968. eCollection 2016 Mar.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 36868590Pisani A, Connor K, Van Orden K, Jordan N, Landes S, Curran G, McDermott M, Ertefaie A, Kelberman C, Ramanathan S, Carruthers J, Mossgraber K, Goldston D. Effectiveness of a targeted brief intervention for recent suicide attempt survivors: a randomised controlled trial protocol. BMJ Open. 2023 Mar 3;13(3):e070105. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070105.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 33884617Witt KG, Hetrick SE, Rajaram G, Hazell P, Taylor Salisbury TL, Townsend E, Hawton K. Psychosocial interventions for self-harm in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Apr 22;4(4):CD013668. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013668.pub2.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
3 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program in people with Suicide, Attempted, run by University of Rochester at 3 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 3 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Time to Suicide Attempt (time frame: Up to 18 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03894462, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Jul 2026.