Project details

Summary

What is the study about?

People who have thoughts of ending their lives are more likely to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital following contact with crisis services. However, admissions can sometimes have a negative impact on their health.

Remote interventions (those delivered online or over the phone) might be a way to improve existing forms of support for people who struggle with suicidal thoughts, as well as making treatment more accessible for them.

What are you trying to find out?

RAPID is a study using online and phone-based psychological support to help prevent psychiatric hospital admissions for those with suicidal thoughts. 

The RAPID trial aims to compare two remote interventions with the standard care people usually receive to find out how best to help those who experience suicidal thoughts, and if this can reduce admissions to hospital.

1. PREVAIL is delivered via telephone or online over three months by a Peer Support Worker. Peer Support Workers have their own experiences of mental health difficulties. It is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a talking therapy which explores the way you think, feel, and behave, and how these are linked.
2. SAFETEL is a safety planning approach delivered by an Assistant Psychologist via telephone or online. The first meeting involves working together to develop a safety plan, including a list of coping strategies. After this, follow-up calls are offered over three months to check on your wellbeing and review your safety plan. 

What does taking part involve?

You will have the chance to discuss the study with a Research Assistant (RA). If you would like to take part, you will be asked to complete a consent form. We will then ask some questions to help us check whether or not this study is right for you. If you are able to take part, you will then be asked to complete several questionnaires and an interview with the RA about your mental health experiences. You will receive £10 for this initial appointment. 

You will be asked to take part in one of three groups, either your usual care plus: 

1. the PREVAIL intervention, 
2. the SAFETEL intervention, or 
3. your usual care only with no intervention. 

The group you are in will be decided by chance using a computer, a bit like flipping a coin. Everyone in the three groups will be asked to meet again with the RA at 3-months and 6-months following the first meeting. You will be asked some questions about how you’re feeling and will be paid £10 for each time (£30 in total). 

• If you are in the PREVAIL group, you will receive up to 12 sessions with a peer support worker over three months, either on Microsoft Teams or via telephone, depending on your preference
• If you are in the SAFETEL group, they will receive up to 12 sessions with an assistant psychologist over three months, either on Microsoft Teams or via telephone, depending on your preference.

Who is it for?

We are looking for people who:

• Are over the age of 16
• Have experience of a serious mental health problem 
• Are currently being seen, or have been seen in the past 14-days by the Home-Based Treatment Team/ Crisis Team 
• Are experiencing suicidal thoughts

Why is it important? 

By taking part in this study, you will be helping us learn how best to help people who experience suicidal thoughts. This is the case no matter what group you are in.  

Everyone’s involvement is very important, and we equally value every participant in all groups of the trial. Although it is not guaranteed, we hope that you may find it helpful to take part in one of the interventions, such as reducing your distress or suicidal thoughts. 

How can I find out more?

You can find out more information about taking part in this study by downloading the key documents at the top of this page. You can also visit the psychosis research unit's website here.

If you are interested in taking part in this study, or have questions for the research team, click the button below to email us:

Email the research team