Recruiting

MIST

Sponsor:

VA Office of Research and Development

Code:

NCT06593379

Conditions

Suicide

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Safety planning

Treatment as usual

MIST Intervention

Study Details

Brief summary:

One of the factors that contributes to suicide risk is what is known as a "suicidal belief system." This belief system is made up of several cognitions that been associated with suicide risk among military personnel. Modification of these cognitions may reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The study team has developed a brief mobile intervention entitled the Mobile Intervention for Suicidal Thoughts (MIST) that uses evidence-based interpretation bias modification techniques to reduce these suicide cognitions. The goal of this project is to is to conduct a pilot trial of the MIST intervention to evaluate whether it is feasible an acceptable as an adjunct treatment for Veterans with suicidal ideation.

Conditions

Suicide

Study ID

NCT06593379

Start date

Sep 3, 2025

Status verified date

Oct, 2025

Completion date

Sep 30, 2027

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Aug 2, 2027

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Veterans using the Durham VA Health Care System
  • Endorsing suicidal ideation without intent in the last 30 days, established via C-SSRS
  • Meet at least every 4 months with a mental health provider, established via chart review chart
  • Can read at least 6th grade level material, established by their demonstrated ability to read the consent form and answer basic questions about it

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Currently in a period of active psychosis or mania, established via the SCID-5
  • Currently meeting criteria for a moderate or severe alcohol or substance use disorder, established via the SCID-5
  • Endorsing suicidal intent, established via C-SSRS
  • Exhibit current prominent suicidal or homicidal ideation requiring immediate intervention
  • Have used the MIST intervention before as part of another research study

Study Design

Enrollment

50 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Safety planning, treatment as usual, and MIST

Participants will get a safety plan, treatment as usual, and the MIST intervention.

active comparator: Safety planning and treatment as usual

Participants will get a safety plan and treatment as usual.

Interventions

Safety planning

Safety planning (SP) is a single-session intervention that consists of developing a written list of individualized coping strategies and sources of support that can be used during a suicidal crisis.

Treatment as usual

This will include continued care with any of the Veterans' current providers. Study staff will also place appropriate referrals for Veterans, as needed (e.g., Trauma Recovery Program referrals for Veterans with PTSD, Sleep Psychology referrals for Veterans with insomnia). Participants will be encouraged to follow up with their providers' recommendations and treatment plans

MIST Intervention

This is a mobile intervention designed to target and modify suicidal cognitions. Veteran in this condition will be asked to use the intervention 5 times a week for 4 weeks.

Primary outcome measure

  • Number of participants recruited [ Time Frame: Through study completion (approximately 18 months) ]
  • Percentage of enrolled participants who complete the study intervention [ Time Frame: Post-treatment visit (approximately one month after enrollment) ]
  • Patient satisfaction for MIST app: Client Satisfaction Questionnaire [ Time Frame: Post-treatment visit (approximately one month after enrollment) ]
  • MIST intervention utilization [ Time Frame: Post-MIST assessment visit (approximately one month after enrollment) ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Kirsten H Dillon, PhD

(919) 286-0411Kirsten.Dillon@va.gov

Angela C Kirby, MS

(919) 286-0411angela.kirby@va.gov

Locations

Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC

Recruiting

Durham, North Carolina, United States, 27705-3875

Contacts

Kirsten H Dillon, PhD

919-286-0411Kirsten.Dillon@va.gov

Angela C Kirby, MS

(919) 286-0411angela.kirby@va.gov

Principal Investigator:

Kirsten H Dillon, PhD

More Information

Sponsor

VA Office of Research and Development

Last update posted

Oct 16, 2025

Last verified

Oct, 2025

Keywords

  • suicide
  • suicide cognitions
  • mobile intervention
  • veterans

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-09. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by VA Office of Research and Development on 2025-10-16.