Randomized Controlled Effectiveness Trial of VA S.A.V.E. Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training for Veterans' Close Supports
VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
Veterans are most likely to disclose suicidal thoughts to their close supports such as family and friends. These loved ones are, in turn, very interested in learning how to help a Veteran in need. Close supports are uniquely poised to provide a meaningful contribution to suicide prevention, if they can learn how to effectively promote Veterans' connection to care. VA S.A.V.E. (Signs; Ask; Validate; Encourage) is a suicide prevention gatekeeper training specifically tailored to the Veteran community that teaches close supports how to identify signs of suicide risk and how to connect the at-risk person to professional treatment. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of VA S.A.V.E. and to explore factors impacting its potential widespread implementation.
Description
Background: Levels of help-seeking remain low among Veterans at risk for suicide. Veterans are most likely to disclose suicidal thoughts to close supports-family, friends, caregivers, and peers-who are, in turn, very interested in learning how they might be able to help a Veteran in need. VA S.A.V.E. (Signs; Ask; Validate; Encourage) is a suicide prevention gatekeeper training that can address this opportunity by teaching close supports the skills to identify signs of suicide risk and connect the at-risk Veteran to professional treatment. Significance: This project evaluates an "upstream" pub…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Family member, caregiver, or friend of a Veteran * Social contact with a Veteran at least once a week Exclusion Criteria: * Not providing a valid phone number and email address * No internet access * Indication of duplicate study entry * Previously taken, or intending to soon take, VA S.A.V.E. training
Interventions
- BehavioralVA S.A.V.E.
The intervention is called VA S.A.V.E. It is an online video-based training tailored to veterans and their close supports. It is free, brief (24 minutes), and includes three scripted role plays.
- BehavioralControl training
An attention control informational video containing information relevant to veterans' mental health but not including elements thought to be "active ingredients" in the intervention.
Location
- VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, ORPortland, Oregon