Suicide prevention for ED attendees with substance misuse
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development of a suicide prevention intervention for Emergency Department attenders presenting with self-harm and substance misuse: a feasibility study
IRAS ID
288891
Contact name
Paul Moran
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN42939142
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 30 days
Research summary
Research has shown that brief talking therapies can significantly reduce the risk of suicide in people who present to a hospital emergency department (ED) after self-harm. However, while people with a substance use disorder (including alcohol) are at a much higher risk of suicide compared with people without, we do not know if brief treatments reduce the risk of suicide among this group. In Phase 1 of this study, the research team developed a brief intervention that is designed to reduce the risk of suicide among people who present to ED after self-harm, and who have a substance use disorder. This ethics application is for conducting a feasibility study to test the acceptability and safety of the intervention. The feasibility study will take place at 3 hospital sites, where the research team will train designated Liaison Psychiatry staff to deliver the intervention, treating patients in accordance with the study treatment manual and SOPs. Over a 12 month period, the research team will recruit a sample of patients with whom, under supervision, we will implement the intervention. On completion of treatment, a sample of patients will be invited to participate in an in-depth interview about their experiences of receiving the intervention. In-depth interviews will be held with a small sample of Liaison Psychiatry staff, to explore their experiences of delivering the intervention.
Please note, in this summary, self-harm refers to both non-suicidal self-injury and non-fatal suicide attempts.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SW/0188
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jan 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion