NCT05884476 · VA Office of Research and Development
Randomized Clinical Trial of Re-Evaluating Suicidal Thoughts in Veterans
(REST-V)
What this study is about
Suicide prevention is a top priority for VA as all continue to seek new and inventive ways to reduce suicide rates among Veterans. Many experts agree that suicide prevention efforts could be improved by making suicide-specific interventions easier to access. The current project aims to move toward that goal by testing a web-based suicide prevention intervention using an experimental design.
View original scientific description
Suicide prevention is a top priority for VA as all continue to seek new and inventive ways to reduce suicide rates among Veterans. Many experts agree that suicide prevention efforts could be improved by making suicide-specific interventions easier to access. The current project aims to move toward that goal by testing a web-based suicide prevention intervention using an experimental design. The roughly 40-minute intervention aims to teach Veterans coping skills that are designed to ease the emotional distress that often comes with thoughts of suicide. The project will evaluate whether Veterans who receive this intervention report more improvement in suicidal thoughts and behaviors than Veterans who receive a standard course of health care visits. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors will be measured over the course of one month. The investigators hypothesize that Veterans who receive the intervention will report lower suicidal thoughts and behaviors than those who receive the standard course of health care.
Interventions
OTHER
Treatment-as-usual
Veterans in the TAU-only control condition will remain engaged in their normal standard of mental health care throughout their participation in this study. Veterans in the TAU condition will have access to and receive referrals for any of the following services normally afforded to patients at this VA hospital: VA Office of Connected Care web-based training programs and mobile mental health applications; primary care appointments; PCMHI consultation; outpatient mental health individual and group therapies; psychiatry appointments; inpatient hospitalization in the event of a suicidal crisis during study participation; and post-discharge mental health follow-up appointments following inpatient hospitalization for medical or mental health reasons.
BEHAVIORAL
Re-Evaluating Suicidal Thoughts
REST is a brief, computerized intervention designed to mitigate psychological inflexibility associated with the experience of suicidal ideation. Most individuals complete the intervention in under one hour. REST provides psychoeducation to correct common misconceptions about suicidal ideation and help Veterans de-catastrophize the occurrence and meaning of these thoughts. This includes information about the prevalence of suicidal ideation among Veterans, a conceptualization of suicidal ideation as a response to stress, normalizing emotional reactions to suicidal ideation, and framing suicidal ideation as "thoughts and conjectures" as opposed to "truth and reality." These components were chosen to directly address emotional distress related to suicidal thoughts, which is central to the construct of psychological inflexibility. Veterans randomized to receive REST will have access to and be encouraged to utilize any and all of these options described in the TAU-only condition.
Primary outcome measures
Suicidal ideation severity change
Time frame: Baseline and one month
Data sourced from Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSS) self-report measure total score. BSS scores range from 0-38 on 19 items rated on a 0-2 scale. Higher scores indicate greater suicidal ideation severity.
Psychological inflexibility of suicidal ideation change
Time frame: Baseline and two weeks
Data sourced from Acceptance and Action Questionnaire for Suicidal Ideation (AAQ-SI) self-report measure total scores. AAQ-SI scores range from 4-28 on seven items rated on a 1-7 scale. Higher scores indicate greater experiential avoidance of suicidal ideation.
Suicidal behaviors change
Time frame: Baseline and one month
Data sourced from the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale clinical interview (C-SSRS). The presence or absence of five categories of suicidal behaviors is indicated on a dichotomous (Yes/No) scale. Categories include: (1) Preparatory acts or behavior, (2) aborted attempt, (3) interrupted attempt, (4) actual attempt (non-fatal), and (5) completed suicide. Higher assigned score indicates greater severity of suicidal behavior.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- 18 years or older
- Past two-week suicidal ideation as indicated by positive reply to C-SSRS questions ("Have you had any actual thoughts of killing yourself," or, "Have you been thinking about how you might do this?")
Exclusion criteria
- Active psychosis
- Unmedicated bipolar disorder
- Instances in which a substance use disorder would indicate inpatient detoxification prior to engaging in other outpatient mental health interventions
Where
- New Orleans, Louisiana
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Dec 18, 2025 · Source of record for eligibility and locations