TEEM-GIFTS: A Gamified mHealth to Reduce Post-Discharge Suicide Risk

Patients with mental disorders are at significantly higher risk of suicide after discharge compared to the general population and patients with other diseases. Currently, there is a lack of post-discharge community suicide risk management services in China. The research team's preliminary research suggests that mHealth interventions are well-accepted and feasible for reducing the suicide risk in patients with mental disorders. Furthermore, the inclusion of gamification elements can enhance treatment adherence and user engagement. However, determining the appropriate combination of gamification elements and evaluating the implementation effectiveness of gamified mHealth interventions for suicide risk are challenges in transforming these into regular community mental health services. This study will leverage gamification theory and community-based participatory research to design a gamified mHealth intervention model aimed at reducing suicide risk among discharged patients with mental disorders, and to develop a corresponding management strategy. Using the multi-phase optimization strategy (MOST), the study will identify the optimal combination of gamification elements to reduce suicide risk and increase the outpatient follow-up rate. Through an implementation science framework, the investigators will evaluate the process, outcomes, cost, and feasibility of this management strategy with the goal of reducing suicide risk among these patients. The findings from this study will provide a scientific basis for innovative suicide risk management models for discharged patients with mental disorders in China, thereby paving the way for the application of implementation science in mental health.