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Suicide-related Issues

Library of Research Articles on Veterans and CIH Therapies

February 2024 Edition

Suicide-related Issues

Forkus SR, Breines JG, Weiss NH. Morally injurious experiences and mental health: The moderating role of self-compassion. Psychol Trauma. 2019 Sep;11(6):630-638. doi:

INTRODUCTION

Military veterans are at heightened risk for developing mental and behavioral health problems. Morally injurious combat experiences have recently gained empirical and clinical attention following the increased rates of mental and behavioral health problems observed in this population.

OBJECTIVE

Extending extant research, the current investigation assessed the relationship between morally injurious experiences and mental and behavioral health outcomes. Furthermore, it examined the potential protective role of self-compassion in these relationships.

METHOD

Participants were 203 military veterans (M age = 35.08 years, 77.30% male) who completed online questionnaires.

RESULTS

Analyses indicated that self-compassion significantly moderated the relationship between exposure to morally injurious experiences and posttraumatic stress disorder, depression severity, and deliberate self-harm versatility.

CONCLUSIONS

These results highlight the potential clinical utility of self-compassion in military mental health, particularly in the context of morally injurious experiences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Herrmann TS, Nazarenko E, Marchand W, Day A, Merrill J, Neil M, Thatcher J, Garland E, Bryan C. Randomized Controlled Trial of a Brief Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Suicidal Ideation Among Veterans. Mil Med. 2022 Oct 8:usac291.

INTRODUCTION

This study was a preliminary evaluation of a manualized, brief mindfulness-based intervention (MB-SI) for veterans with suicidal ideation (SI), admitted into an inpatient psychiatric unit (IPU).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomized, controlled pilot study of 20 veterans aged 18-70 years with SI, admitted into a psychiatric unit, assigned to treatment as usual (TAU) or MB-SI groups. Outcome data were collected at three time points: preintervention (beginning of first session), postintervention (end of last session), and 1-month postintervention. Primary outcomes were safety and feasibility. Secondary outcome measures were SI and behavior, mindfulness state and trait, cognitive reappraisal, and emotion regulation. Additionally, psychiatric and emergency department admissions were examined. Data analysis included Generalized Linear Models, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank, Mann-Whitney U, and Fisher's exact tests for secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Mindfulness-based intervention for suicidal ideation was feasible to implement on an IPU, and there were no associated adverse effects. Mindfulness-based intervention for suicidal ideation participants experienced statistically significant increase in Toronto Mindfulness Scale curiosity scores 1-month postintervention compared to preintervention and greater Toronto Mindfulness Scale decentering scores 1-month postintervention compared to TAU. Emotion Regulation Questionnaire Reappraisal scores significantly increased for the MB-SI group and significantly decreased for TAU over time. IPU and emergency department admissions were not statistically different between groups or over time. Both TAU and MB-SI participants experienced a significant reduction in Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale-SI scores after the intervention. MB-SI participants experienced a higher increase in Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire scores postintervention compared to TAU.

CONCLUSIONS

Mindfulness-based intervention for suicidal ideation is feasible and safe to implement among veterans during an inpatient psychiatric admission with SI, as it is not associated with increased SI or adverse effects. Preliminary evidence suggests that MB-SI increases veterans' propensity to view experiences with curiosity while disengaging from experience without emotional overreaction. Further, more rigorous research is warranted to determine efficacy of MB-SI.

Interian A, Chesin MS, Stanley B, Latorre M, St Hill LM, Miller RB, King AR, Boschulte DR, Rodriguez KM, Kline A. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Preventing Suicide in Military Veterans: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Clin Psychiatry. 2021 Aug 31;82(5):20m13791.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated whether Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Preventing Suicide Behavior (MBCT-S) effectively augmented treatment-as-usual enhanced for suicide prevention (eTAU).

METHODS

From December 2013 through March 2018, veterans (N = 140) at high risk for suicide were recruited mostly (88.6%) during a suicide-related inpatient admission and randomly assigned to either (1) eTAU augmented with MBCT-S or (2) eTAU only. MBCT-S began during inpatient treatment (2 individual sessions emphasizing safety planning) and continued post-discharge (8 group sessions emphasizing mindfulness skills and elaborated safety planning). Four follow-up evaluations occurred over 12 months, and primary outcomes were (1) time to suicide event and (2) number of suicide events. Secondary outcomes were time to and number of suicide attempts, proportion with acute psychiatric hospitalization, and change in suicide-related factors (eg, depression, hopelessness, suicidal ideation).

RESULTS

Relative to eTAU, MBCT-S did not significantly delay time to suicide event (hazard ratio = 0.86; 95% CI, 0.52-1.41; P = .54), but did reduce total number of suicide events (MBCT-S: 56 events; eTAU: 92 events; incident rate ratio = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36-0.99; P < .05). There were no significant differences in time to or number of suicide attempts. In a post hoc analysis, however, MBCT-S significantly reduced the proportion of participants attempting suicide (P < .05). MBCT-S also reduced the proportion with a psychiatric hospitalization. No significant between-group differences emerged on any suicide-related factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Adding MBCT-S to system-wide suicide prevention efforts produced mixed findings on the primary outcome (suicide events) and promising findings on other important outcomes (suicide attempts, psychiatric hospitalizations). MBCT-S should continue to be examined in future research.

Kelley ML, Bravo AJ, Davies RL, Hamrick HC, Vinci C, Redman JC. Moral injury and suicidality among combat-wounded veterans: The moderating effects of social connectedness and self-compassion. Psychol Trauma. 2019 Sep;11(6):621-629. doi:

OBJECTIVE

Among combat veterans, moral injury (i.e., the guilt, shame, inability to forgive one's self and others, and social withdrawal associated with one's involvement in events that occurred during war or other missions) is associated with a host of negative mental health symptoms, including suicide. To better inform and tailor prevention and treatment efforts among veterans, the present study examined several potential risk (i.e., overidentification and self-judgment) and protective (i.e., self-kindness, mindfulness, common humanity, and social connectedness) variables that may moderate the association between moral injury and suicidality.

METHOD

Participants were 189 combat wounded veterans (96.8% male; mean age = 43.14 years) who had experienced one or more deployments (defined as 90 days or more). Nearly all participants reported a service-connected disability (n = 176, 93.1%) and many had received a Purple Heart (n = 163, 86.2%).

RESULTS

Within a series of moderation models, we found 3 statistically significant moderation effects. Specifically, the association between self-directed moral injury and suicidality strengthened at higher levels of overidentification, that is, a tendency to overidentify with one's failings and shortcomings. In addition, the association between other-directed moral injury and suicidality weakened at higher levels of mindfulness and social connectedness.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide insight on risk and protective factors that strengthen (risk factor) or weaken (protective factor) the association between moral injury and suicidality in combat-wounded veterans. Taken together, mindfulness, social connectedness, and overidentification are relevant to understand the increased/decreased vulnerability of veterans to exhibit suicidality when experiencing moral injury. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Kline A, Chesin M, Latorre M, Miller R, St Hill L, Shcherbakov A, King A, Stanley B, Weiner MD, Interian A. Rationale and study design of a trial of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for preventing suicidal behavior (MBCT-S) in military veterans. Contemp Clin Trials. 2016 Sep;50:245-52. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2016.08.015. Epub 2016 Aug 31. PMID: 27592123.

BACKGROUND

Although suicide ranks 10th as a cause of death in the United States, and 1st among active military personnel, there are surprisingly few evidence-based therapies addressing suicidality, and development of new treatments is limited. This paper describes a clinical trial testing a novel therapy for reducing suicide risk in military veterans. The intervention, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Preventing Suicide Behavior (MBCT-S), is a 10-week group intervention adapted from an existing treatment for depression (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy - MBCT). MBCT-S incorporates the Safety Planning Intervention, which is currently implemented throughout the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for veterans at high suicide risk.

METHODS

MBCT-S is being tested in a VHA setting using an intention-to-treat, two-group randomized trial design in which 164 high suicide risk veterans are randomized to either VHA Treatment As Usual (TAU; n=82) or TAU+MBCT-S (n=82). Our primary outcome measure, suicide-related event, defined to include suicide preparatory behaviors, self-harm behavior with suicidal or indeterminate intent, suicide-related hospitalizations and Emergency Department (ED) visits, will be measured through five assessments administered by blinded assessors between baseline and 12months post-baseline. We will measure suicide attempts and suicide deaths as a secondary outcome, because of their anticipated low incidence during the study period. Secondary outcomes also include severity of suicidal ideation, hopelessness and depression.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study has the potential to significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of VHA care for veterans at suicide risk and to substantially improve the quality of life for veterans and their families.

Serpa JG, Taylor SL, Tillisch K. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) reduces anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation in veterans. Med Care. 2014 Dec;52(12 Suppl 5):S19-24. doi: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000000202. PubMed PMID: 25397818.

INTRODUCTION

Anxiety, depression, and pain are major problems among veterans, despite the availability of standard medical options within the Veterans Health Administration. Complementary and alternative approaches for these symptoms have been shown to be appealing to veterans. One such complementary and alternative approach is mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), a brief course that teaches mindfulness meditation with demonstrated benefits for mood disorders and pain.

METHODS

We prospectively collected data on MBSR's effectiveness among 79 veterans at an urban Veterans Health Administration medical facility. The MBSR course had 9 weekly sessions that included seated and walking meditations, gentle yoga, body scans, and discussions of pain, stress, and mindfulness. Pre-MBSR and post-MBSR questionnaires investigating pain, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and physical and mental health functioning were obtained and compared for individuals. We also conducted a mediation analysis to determine whether changes in mindfulness were related to changes in the other outcomes.

RESULTS

Significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation were observed after MBSR training. Mental health functioning scores were improved. Also, mindfulness interacted with other outcomes such that increases in mindfulness were related to improvements in anxiety, depression, and mental health functionality. Pain intensity and physical health functionality did not show improvements.

DISCUSSION

This naturalistic study in veterans shows that completing an MBSR program can improve symptoms of anxiety and depression, in addition to reducing suicidal ideations, all of which are of critical importance to the overall health of the patients.

Vitale A, Byma L, Sun S, Podolak E, Wang Z, Alter S, Galfalvy H, Geraci J, Langhoff E, Klingbeil H, Yehuda R, Haghighi F, Feder A. Effectiveness of Complementary and Integrative Approaches in Promoting Engagement and Overall Wellness Toward Suicide Prevention in Veterans. J Altern Complement Med. 2021 Mar;27(S1):S14-S27.

OBJECTIVE

Suicide is a major public health problem, specifically among U.S. veterans, who do not consistently engage in mental health services, often citing stigma as a barrier. Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) interventions are promising alternatives in promoting patient engagement and further, they may play a critical role in transitioning people into mental health care. Toward this goal, the Resilience and Wellness Center (RWC) was developed to break through the stigma barrier by addressing risk factors of suicide through multimodal CIH interventions via cohort design, promoting social connectedness and accountability among participants. Design: This is a program evaluation study at a large urban VA medical center, where assessments were evaluated from pre- to post-program completion to determine the effectiveness of an intensive multimodal CIH 4-week group outpatient intervention for suicide prevention. Outcome measures: Primary outcomes measured included group connectedness, severity of depression and hopelessness symptoms, suicidal ideation, sleep quality, and diet. Secondary outcomes included measures of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety severity stress/coping skills, pain, and fatigue. Results: The RWC showed high participant engagement, with an 84%-95% attendance engagement rate depending on suicide risk history. Data from 15 cohorts (N = 126) demonstrate favorable outcomes associated with participation in this comprehensive program, as evidenced by a reduction in suicidal ideation, depression, and hopelessness, but not sleep quality and diet. In addition, in a subset of veterans with a history of suicidal ideation or attempt, significant improvements were noted in pain, PTSD/anxiety symptoms, and stress coping measures. Conclusions: The RWC shows that an intensive complement of CIH interventions is associated with a significant improvement with high veteran engagement. Findings from this program evaluation study can be used to aid health care systems and their providers in determining whether or not to utilize such multimodal CIH integrated interventions as an effective treatment for at-risk populations as a part of suicide prevention efforts.

Walser RD, Garvert DW, Karlin BE, Trockel M, Ryu DM, Taylor CB. Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in treating depression and suicidal ideation in Veterans. Behav Res Ther. 2015 Nov;74:25-31. doi:

OBJECTIVE

This paper examines the effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for depression (ACT-D), and the specific effects of experiential acceptance and mindfulness, in reducing suicidal ideation (SI) and depression among Veterans.

METHOD

Patients included 981 Veterans, 76% male, mean age 50.5 years. Depression severity and SI were assessed using the BDI-II. Experiential acceptance and mindfulness were measured with the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II) and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, respectively.

RESULTS

Of the 981 patients, 647 (66.0%) completed 10 or more sessions or finished early due to symptom relief. For Veterans with SI at baseline, mean BDI-II score decreased from 33.5 to 22.9. For Veterans with no SI at baseline, mean BDI-II score decreased from 26.3 to 15.9. Mixed models with repeated measurement indicated a significant reduction in depression severity from baseline to final assessment (b = -10.52, p < .001). After adjusting for experiential acceptance and mindfulness, patients with SI at baseline demonstrated significantly greater improvement in depression severity during ACT-D treatment, relative to patients with no SI at baseline (b = -2.81, p = .001). Furthermore, increases in experiential acceptance and mindfulness scores across time were associated with a reduction in depression severity across time (b = -0.44, p < .001 and b = -0.09, p < .001, respectfully), and the attenuating effect of mindfulness on depression severity increased across time (b = -0.05, p = .042). Increases in experiential acceptance scores across time were associated with lower odds of SI across time (odds ratio = 0.97, 95% CI [0.95, 0.99], p = .016) and the attenuating effect of experiential acceptance on SI increased across time (odds ratio = 0.96, 95% CI [0.92, 0.99], p = .023). Overall the number of patients with no SI increased from 44.5% at baseline to 65% at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Veterans receiving ACT-D demonstrated decreased depression severity and decreased odds of SI during treatment. Increases in experiential acceptance and mindfulness scores were associated with reduction in depression severity across time and increases in experiential acceptance scores were associated with reductions in SI across time.