A Randomized Controlled Trial of an SMS-Based Brief Contact Intervention for People Bereaved by Suicide

Brief contact interventions (BCI) refer to short messages delivered proactively to a specific target population. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of a mobile phone short-message service (SMS) BCI for people bereaved by suicide.

Participants were randomly allocated. The BCI group received text messages over a 6-week period. The active control group received the intervention website. Pre- and post-intervention surveys assessed demographic, suicide exposure and five key outcomes (psychological distress, suicidal ideation, complicated grief, resilience, and professional help-seeking intentions). BCI participants were also invited to participate in an interview post-intervention.

Of 99 participants randomized, 52 BCI and 47 control completed pre-intervention surveys. Post-intervention response rates were low (BCI: n = 15; 28.85%; active control: n = 16; 34.04%), with no statistically significant changes in key outcome measures. Eight BCI participants completed follow-up interviews. Relevance, timing of support, benefit to bereavement, and recommendations for scaling were identified.

Recruitment and retention challenges meant the effectiveness of the BCI could not be statistically determined. Qualitative evidence supported BCI acceptability for people bereaved by suicide. Recommendations to improve the intervention include embedding the BCI within existing postvention services offered soon after a death occurs and tailoring of messages to individuals' needs.

This trial was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Register (ACTRN12621001430820).