Adapting a Suicide Prevention Program for People with Psychosis Following a Psychiatric Hospitalization: Pilot...

Individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (SSD) are at particularly high risk for suicide, with the period immediately following a psychiatric hospitalization identified as a time of the highest suicide risk. Currently, there are limited evidence-based psychosocial interventions specifically designed to reduce suicide risk in patients with SSD following a hospitalization. The Coping Long Term with Active Suicide Program (CLASP) is a multifaceted, adjunctive suicide intervention that specifically focuses on acute transitions of care, making it a particularly promising option for people with SSD. This pilot feasibility randomized controlled trial adapted CLASP for patients with SSDs post-hospital discharge for up to 6 months. Findings indicated recruitment feasibility, success in engaging most patients in the program in the initial weeks immediately following their discharge when risk is highest, and preliminary support for reducing suicide behaviors and psychiatric symptoms. We describe important lessons learned about how to further refine the intervention to increase feasibility and acceptability to patients in future research.