Educational Program for Suicide Prevention in Autism

Overseen by Anne V Kirby, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of Utah

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this study is to pilot test a new educational intervention for organization members focused on suicide prevention for autistic people. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does participating in the intervention increase participants' knowledge, skills, and actions to support suicide prevention for autistic people? * What feedback do participants have to help improve the intervention? Participants will: * engage in a four-part virtual educational intervention * answer questions via online survey before, after, and 3-months after the intervention * participate in an optional interview to provide feedback

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the idea that Educational Program for Suicide Prevention in Autism is an effective treatment?

The available research does not provide specific data on the effectiveness of the Educational Program for Suicide Prevention in Autism. However, it highlights that comprehensive approaches, like the Zero Suicide Model, which involve ongoing risk assessment and direct intervention, are effective in suicide prevention. Community-based interventions, such as reducing access to lethal means and screening for depression, have shown promise in reducing suicide deaths. These findings suggest that a well-rounded approach, similar to the principles of the Educational Program for Suicide Prevention in Autism, could be effective. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What safety data exists for the Educational Program for Suicide Prevention in Autism?

The provided research does not directly address safety data for the Educational Program for Suicide Prevention in Autism or its alternative name, Forming Love around Autistic People to Prevent Suicide. The studies focus on general issues in suicide prevention trials, such as variability in adverse event reporting, effectiveness of other suicide prevention programs, and quality improvement initiatives in psychiatric care. There is a noted lack of consistent definitions and reporting of adverse events, which complicates safety evaluations in suicide prevention interventions. Therefore, specific safety data for the mentioned program is not available in the provided research. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Is the treatment 'Forming Love around Autistic People to Prevent Suicide' promising for preventing suicide in people with autism?

Yes, the treatment 'Forming Love around Autistic People to Prevent Suicide' is promising because it focuses on creating supportive environments and relationships, which can help reduce the risk of suicide in people with autism. This approach is important as autistic individuals often face unique challenges and higher risks of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. ^{10 11 12 13 14}

Research Team

Anne V Kirby, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Utah

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals involved in organizations focused on autism, who are interested in learning about suicide prevention for autistic people. Participants should be willing to engage in a virtual educational program and complete surveys.

Inclusion Criteria

Active member of an organization whose work impacts autistic people

Fluent English language to participate in virtual educational intervention

I am 18 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

No access to an internet-connected device

Unable to participate in a virtual educational intervention

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Forming Love around Autistic People to Prevent Suicide (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial Overview The study tests an educational intervention called 'Forming Love around Autistic People to Prevent Suicide'. It examines if the program boosts knowledge, skills, and actions related to suicide prevention among autistic individuals.

Participant Groups

Group I: FLAPS intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants receiving FLAPS intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Utah

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,169

Recruited

1,623,000+

Jeffrey Wilkins

University of Utah

Chief Medical Officer since 2022

MD from Meharry Medical College

Stephen Tullman

University of Utah

Chief Executive Officer since 2022

BS in Accounting from Rutgers University

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+

Dr. Joshua A. Gordon

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Chief Executive Officer since 2016

MD, PhD

Dr. Shelli Avenevoli

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Chief Medical Officer

PhD

Findings from Research

A two-hour suicide care educational intervention significantly improved family caregivers' ability to care for suicidal individuals and fostered more positive attitudes towards them, based on a study of 74 participants.

While the intervention did not reduce caregivers' stress levels, it highlighted the importance of providing education to family members, which is often overlooked in suicide prevention programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Short-term effects of a suicide education intervention for family caregivers of people who are suicidal. Sun, FK., Chiang, CY., Lin, YH., et al.[2013]

Suicide is a major public health crisis, with over 44,000 deaths in the US alone in 2015, highlighting the urgent need for effective suicide prevention strategies that integrate research into practice.

The article introduces the Assess, Intervene and Monitor for Suicide Prevention (AIM-SP) model, which provides a structured approach to implementing evidence-based practices in clinical settings, focusing on ongoing risk assessment and support for individuals at high risk.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Zero Suicide Model: Applying Evidence-Based Suicide Prevention Practices to Clinical Care. Brodsky, BS., Spruch-Feiner, A., Stanley, B.[2023]

Suicide prevention programs must be tailored to specific sociocultural contexts, as strategies effective in one area may not work in another, highlighting the importance of localized approaches.

Integrated approaches that combine public health measures with individual care and ongoing social support are more likely to achieve significant outcomes in reducing suicide rates than isolated interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Suicide prevention: at what level does it work? Bertolote, JM.[2023]

Community-based interventions that effectively reduce suicide deaths include strategies to limit access to lethal means, implementing supportive organizational policies in workplaces, and conducting community screenings for depression, based on a review of 56 publications covering 47 unique studies.

The European Alliance Against Depression was identified as the most promising multistrategy intervention, while the effectiveness of other approaches like public awareness campaigns and crisis lines remains unclear and inconsistent.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Population- and Community-Based Interventions to Prevent Suicide. Linskens, EJ., Venables, NC., Gustavson, AM., et al.[2023]

The gatekeeper training (GKT) program significantly improved university teachers' competence and confidence in managing suicidal students compared to a general mental health lecture, highlighting its effectiveness in suicide prevention training.

Participants in the GKT program reported higher satisfaction and demonstrated a greater intention to act as gatekeepers, emphasizing the importance of active involvement in training for effective outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of suicide prevention gatekeeper training for university teachers in Japan. Hashimoto, N., Takeda, H., Fujii, Y., et al.[2022]

A qualitative study involving experienced suicide researchers revealed significant challenges in defining and reporting adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) in suicide prevention trials, which complicates safety evaluations.

Participants emphasized the urgent need for clear and consistent definitions and reporting standards for AEs and SAEs to improve the comparability of studies and enhance safety monitoring in at-risk populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Variability in the definition and reporting of adverse events in suicide prevention trials: an examination of the issues and a proposed solution. Oquendo, MA., Feldman, S., Silverman, E., et al.[2022]

The Signs of Suicide (SOS) prevention program significantly reduced self-reported suicide attempts among high school students, as shown in a study involving 2,100 students across 5 schools.

Students in the intervention group also exhibited greater knowledge and more positive attitudes towards depression and suicide, indicating that the program not only helps reduce attempts but also improves understanding of these issues.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An outcome evaluation of the SOS Suicide Prevention Program. Aseltine, RH., DeMartino, R.[2022]

In a review of 35 suicide cases reported as adverse events, only 6 had adequately documented suicide risk assessments, highlighting significant gaps in clinical care.

The assessments primarily focused on suicidal ideation rather than critical risk factors like previous attempts or substance abuse, indicating a need for quality improvement initiatives in training and documentation practices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Analysis of Suicides Reported as Adverse Events in Psychiatry Resulted in Nine Quality Improvement Initiatives. Mackenhauer, J., Winsløv, JH., Holmskov, J., et al.[2022]

A randomized trial involving 32 schools and 249 staff members showed that QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training significantly improved staff knowledge and confidence in identifying and referring suicidal individuals, with effect sizes indicating meaningful improvements.

Despite increased knowledge and confidence, the training did not lead to a corresponding increase in actual suicide identification behaviors, suggesting that additional interventions are needed to encourage students to seek help from adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized trial of a gatekeeper program for suicide prevention: 1-year impact on secondary school staff. Wyman, PA., Brown, CH., Inman, J., et al.[2022]

The review identified a significant concern regarding suicidality among autistic individuals, highlighting the need for more focused research on how autism influences suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

There is a lack of autism-specific suicide awareness and prevention programs, indicating a gap in resources for autistic individuals, their families, and healthcare professionals to effectively address this critical issue.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Scoping Review of Autism and the Way It Changes the Presentation of Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior Compared to the General Population. Cleary, M., West, S., McLean, L., et al.[2023]

The Autism Adapted Safety Plan (AASP) is the first safety plan specifically designed for autistic adults at risk of self-harm and suicidal behavior, aiming to provide structured support during crises.

This pilot study will assess the feasibility and acceptability of the AASP among 90 participants, focusing on their experiences and the effectiveness of recruitment methods, which could inform larger future studies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adapted suicide safety plans to address self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide behaviours in autistic adults: protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial. Rodgers, J., Goodwin, J., Nielsen, E., et al.[2023]

In a study of 107 verbal youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during psychiatric admission, 22% reported frequent thoughts about death or suicide, highlighting a significant prevalence of suicidal ideation in this population.

The presence of comorbid mood or anxiety disorders was associated with increased risk of suicidal thoughts, indicating the importance of targeted screening and prevention strategies for youth with ASD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Talking About Death or Suicide: Prevalence and Clinical Correlates in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Psychiatric Inpatient Setting. Horowitz, LM., Thurm, A., Farmer, C., et al.[2021]

Autistic patients have a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality, with a risk ratio of 2.32, indicating they are more than twice as likely to die compared to the general population, based on a review of 15 studies involving 216,045 individuals.

The study found that female autistic patients face an even greater risk of mortality (RR=4.66) compared to males (RR=2.00), highlighting the need for targeted support and interventions, especially for women and adolescents at risk of suicide.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Early death and causes of death of patients with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review]. Zhao, YN., Fan, HY., Wang, XY., et al.[2023]

Suicide is a significant but understudied issue among individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), particularly in high-functioning autism, where comorbidities like depression and psychotic symptoms complicate the understanding of suicidality.

Risk factors for suicide in individuals with ASD include inherent challenges in emotional expression, as well as external factors like bullying and abuse, highlighting the need for tailored therapeutic approaches and further research on effective prevention strategies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Suicide in autism spectrum disorders. Richa, S., Fahed, M., Khoury, E., et al.[2014]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Short-term effects of a suicide education intervention for family caregivers of people who are suicidal. [2013]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Zero Suicide Model: Applying Evidence-Based Suicide Prevention Practices to Clinical Care. [2023]

3. Italy pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Suicide prevention: at what level does it work? [2023]

4. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Population- and Community-Based Interventions to Prevent Suicide. [2023]

5. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of suicide prevention gatekeeper training for university teachers in Japan. [2022]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Variability in the definition and reporting of adverse events in suicide prevention trials: an examination of the issues and a proposed solution. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An outcome evaluation of the SOS Suicide Prevention Program. [2022]

8. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Analysis of Suicides Reported as Adverse Events in Psychiatry Resulted in Nine Quality Improvement Initiatives. [2022]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized trial of a gatekeeper program for suicide prevention: 1-year impact on secondary school staff. [2022]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Scoping Review of Autism and the Way It Changes the Presentation of Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior Compared to the General Population. [2023]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adapted suicide safety plans to address self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide behaviours in autistic adults: protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial. [2023]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Talking About Death or Suicide: Prevalence and Clinical Correlates in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Psychiatric Inpatient Setting. [2021]

13. China pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Early death and causes of death of patients with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review]. [2023]

14. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Suicide in autism spectrum disorders. [2014]