A Novel Cognitive Reappraisal Intervention for Suicide Prevention

The Investigators developed a novel psychosocial intervention called "Cognitive Reappraisal Intervention for Suicide Prevention (CRISP)," which aims to improve cognitive reappraisal ability (i.e. the ability to modify the appraisal of a situation to alter its emotional significance) (target), and reduce suicide risk (outcome). The conceptual framework views suicidal ideation and behavior as failed attempts to regulate negative emotions and by improving cognitive reappraisal, an effective emotion regulation strategy, the investigators expect to reduce suicide risk. This theory is supported by studies showing that unsuccessful attempts to regulate negative emotions and decreased cognitive reappraisal are associated with increased suicidal ideation and behavior.

The R61 phase is a proof-of-principle phase and its goals are to optimize CRISP and test its engagement with cognitive reappraisal. Certified social workers will administer 12 weekly sessions of CRISP to 40 middle-aged and older adults (50-90 years old) after a suicide-related hospitalization. Research assistants, unaware of the study aims, will conduct assessments at study entry (hospital admission), discharge, 6 and 12 weeks post-discharge. Target engagement will be assessed with EEG assessments during a standard pictured-based stimuli and our novel cognitive reappraisal paradigm.

The R33 phase aims to provide further evidence of target engagement of the optimized CRISP in a larger sample, evaluate the relationship of cognitive reappraisal with suicide risk as measured with Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) and estimate implementation parameters for a large-scale clinical trial. A different sample of 90 middle-aged and older adults (using the same inclusion/exclusion criteria as for the R61 phase) will be randomized to CRISP or to Supportive Therapy (ST, a control treatment not designed to improve emotion regulation). Assessments will be conducted on admission, at discharge, and at 6, 12 and 24 weeks post-discharge. Primary aims are: 1) CRISP participants will show improvement in cognitive reappraisal ability from discharge to end of treatment; and 2) improvement in cognitive reappraisal ability will be associated with suicide risk over 24 weeks.

Inclusion criteria

• 50 years and older
• Diagnosis (based on SCID-5 Clinical Trials Version to assess DSM-5 diagnoses): Any DSM-5 depression or anxiety diagnosis, including major depressive disorder, bipolar depression, depressive disorder Not Elsewhere Classified, anxiety disorder Not Elsewhere Classified, adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood (but without any of the diagnoses shown under Exclusion Criteria)
• Recent hospitalization for suicidal ideation or suicide attempt. At hospital admission, Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale greater or equal to 3, "Active Suicidal Ideation with any methods or a suicide attempt."
• Patients with any degree of suicidal ideation at discharge (Columbia Suicide Severity Rating greater or equal to 0) will be included.
• Patients who are on psychotropics and on after-care community psychotherapy will also be included.

Exclusion criteria

• History or current diagnosis of Psychotic Disorders; Current Diagnosis of Bipolar I or Bipolar II, with current episode hypomanic, manic or mixed; Diagnosis of Dementia.
• Cognitive Impairment: Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) < 24.
• Acute or severe medical illness (i.e. delirium; decompensated cardiac, liver, or kidney failure; major surgery; stroke or myocardial infarction during the three months prior to entry.
• Aphasia, sensory problems, and/or inability to speak English.