RecruitingPhase 1NCT05724953

Alexithymia Intervention for Suicide

Alexithymia Intervention for Suicide (ALEXIS)

Sponsor

VA Office of Research and Development

Enrollment

40 participants

Start Date

Oct 1, 2023

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Schizophrenia Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Suicide Major Depressive Disorder Bipolar Disorder

Summary

Suicide rates among Veterans with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) are intractably high, representing a serious public health concern and a critical target for interventions. Yet, at present available treatments offer modest benefits. Thus, there remains an urgent need to identify novel approaches to address suicide risk in this population. Previous reports have linked suicide risk with poor social functioning. Emerging evidence from basic affective neuroscience research has indicated that effective social functioning is contingent on intact emotion awareness. Consistent with these findings, individuals with SMI at risk of suicide display social functioning difficulties along with poor emotion awareness (i.e., alexithymia). Employing a proof-of-concept design, the aim of the present study is to test the feasibility and acceptability of a novel, blended psychoeducation and digital mHealth (mobile health) intervention with smartphones designed to target alexithymia and poor social functioning to reduce suicide risk in Veterans with SMI.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is testing an intervention to help people who struggle to identify and describe their emotions — a condition called alexithymia — and who are at risk of suicide. The treatment aims to improve emotional awareness to reduce suicide risk in people with mental health conditions. **You may be eligible if...** - You have a diagnosis of PTSD, bipolar disorder, major depression, or schizophrenia - You are considered at risk of suicide (based on a validated scale, or you have had a suicide attempt in the past 5 years) - You score high on a measure of limited emotional awareness - You can understand and communicate in English **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You are in an active mental health crisis that requires immediate intervention - You are unable to participate in the sessions Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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