Development and Pilot Testing of the Mobile Application to Prevent Suicide (MAPS)

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Digital Health
• Suicidology

Background:

• Suicide rates are increasing in the US despite existing interventions.
• Suicide risk is heightened during transitions from acute psychiatric care.
• Current interventions may not address the dynamic nature of suicide risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the Mobile Application to Prevent Suicide (MAPS).
• To pilot test MAPS, an ecological momentary intervention for reducing suicidal ideation and behavior.
• To evaluate MAPS in individuals at high risk for suicide during care transitions.

Main Methods:

• Two open trials were conducted over 28 days.
• Study 1 included 10 adult psychiatric inpatients.
• Study 2 included 10 young adults in a partial hospitalization program.

Main Results:

• MAPS demonstrated feasibility and acceptability among high-risk psychiatric patients.
• Most participants showed decreased or no change in suicidal ideation severity while using MAPS.
• An increasing trend in outpatient treatment utilization was observed.

Conclusions:

• MAPS shows promise as an adjunctive suicide prevention tool.
• Further evaluation of MAPS is warranted for individuals transitioning in care.
• This digital intervention may support suicide prevention efforts during critical care periods.