RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07346638

The BEAR Program for Women With Trauma Who Have Suicidal Thoughts

A Pilot Study of the Building Empowerment and Resilience Program for Suicidal Ideation

Sponsor

Stanford University

Enrollment

30 participants

Start Date

Feb 17, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Depression Anxiety PTSD Suicidal Ideations Interpersonal Trauma Sexual Assault

Summary

The current study aims to test the feasibility of a new form of group therapy for women who have a history of interpersonal trauma and current suicidal ideation. The Building Empowerment and Resilience (BEAR) Therapeutic group has been adapted for women who have experienced trauma and have current suicidal ideation. It incorporates psychological skills, psychoeducation about trauma and gender-based violence, and physical self-defense training, all within a therapeutic process. It will be implemented with women who have experienced interpersonal trauma (physical, sexual, or emotional abuse/neglect) and experience various mental health difficulties, including suicidal ideation. We aim to assess the feasibility to recruit and implement the BEAR group. Our ultimate aim is to assess whether the program can effect self-efficacy and suicidal ideation.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 75 Years

Inclusion Criteria3

Women ages 18-75
History of physical, sexual, and/or sexual emotional violence, with subsequent interpersonal or psychological distress (e.g., depression or anxiety) related to this history.
Current suicidal thinking

Exclusion Criteria7

Active, significant substance abuse, which could interfere with participation
Significant medical conditions that would preclude safe participation in the study
No history of interpersonal trauma
Acute psychiatric instability
History of assaultive behavior or is judged to be a potential risk to assault others.
No current suicidal ideation or behaviors
Unable to commit to the group for 12 weeks in-person

Interventions

BEHAVIORALBEAR-SI

The BEAR Therapeutic program is a twelve-week group that meets once per week for 1.5 hours per week. The program includes three main components. The first is a psycho-educational component which provides current information about assault statistics, common risk factors, myths that are often associated assault, and safety related information The second component focuses on the development of an assortment of interpersonal skills. This part of the group offers skills such as assertiveness or communication training, boundary setting, and coping skills. The third component of our intervention consists of a thorough set of self-defense skills that help women to keep themselves safe. The repertoire of skills include recognizing unsafe situations, utilizing one's voice, and release from holds. This section provides ample practice blocks, resistance skills, and specific techniques to keep one's self safe.