Project «NePsy ASSIP HT»

(Neuro-)psychological Research (Project 1)

Why are we conducting this research project?

• Project Goal: Our aim is to investigate how (neuro-)psychological patterns differ between suicidal and non-suicidal individuals. To this end, patients currently receiving treatment at the University Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern (UPD) will be invited to participate. To ensure comparability between groups, a non-clinical control group will also be recruited.
• In this research project, we aim to investigate (neuro-)psychological domains that may play a central role in the suicide process.
• This sub-study is part of the main study ‘NePsy ASSIP HT’ and serves as the basis for two additional studies.

General Information

• Previous studies have shown that measuring unconscious cognitive associations can help distinguish between individuals with and without suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Based on these previous findings, the present study examines individuals from different backgrounds:
  1) Individuals with a history of suicide attempts
  2) Individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts but with no history of suicide attempts
  3) Individuals from a clinical group without suicidal thoughts or behaviors
  4) Individuals from a healthy control group
• A total of 291 study participants will be examined. This study is conducted in accordance with Swiss law and also adheres to all internationally recognized guidelines. The responsible ethics committee has reviewed and approved the study.
• Would you like to receive more information about the research project? We look forward to hearing from you via email at lara.aschenbrenner@unibe.ch

(Neuro-)psychological Research (Project 2)

Why are we conducting this research project?

• In Switzerland, approximately 1,000 people die by suicide each year, and it is estimated that around 33,000 individuals attempt suicide annually. A suicide attempt is a major risk factor for completed suicide. Therefore, effective treatment for individuals after a suicide attempt, which reduces the risk of a repeat attempt or completed suicide, is essential.
• In Research Project 2, we aim to investigate the mechanisms of action of the brief therapy ASSIP. This knowledge can be used nationally and internationally to improve clinical work with individuals after a suicide attempt and contribute to the prevention of fatal suicides.

General Information

• Objective: The aim of Research Project 2 is to determine the impact of the brief therapy ASSIP on psychological and neuropsychological patterns in individuals after a suicide attempt, and to identify which therapeutic mechanisms are relevant.
• Procedure: For this study, patients with a history of suicide attempts who are currently receiving treatment at the University Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern (UPD) will be invited to participate. Participants will be randomly assigned to two different groups. One group will receive three to four sessions of the suicide-specific intervention ASSIP in addition to their regular treatment. The other group will receive three to four sessions based on the standard treatment in Switzerland for individuals after a suicide attempt, also in addition to their regular treatment. For scientific purposes, participants will also attend three additional appointments, during which they will be asked to complete questionnaires, undergo neuropsychological testing, and participate in a clinical interview. Furthermore, participants will be asked to complete questionnaires on their personal smartphones between treatment sessions.
• This research project complies with Swiss law and also adheres to all internationally recognized guidelines. The responsible ethics committee has reviewed and approved the study.
• Are you interested in participating or would you like to receive more information about the research project? We look forward to hearing from you via email at marie-anna.sedlinska@unibe.ch

(Neuro-)psychological Research (Project 3)

Warum führen wir dieses Forschungsprojekt durch?

• Ziel des Projekts: die Auswirkungen von ASSIP HT werden auf Suizidgedanken und -verhalten sowie die Durchführbarkeit und Kosteneffektivität während eines 24-monatigen Nachbeobachtungszeitraums untersucht.
  

Allgemeine Informationen

• Die Kurztherapie ASSIP reduziert das Risiko für weitere suizidale Handlungen um annähernd 80% . Obwohl kurze und wirksame Interventionen für Menschen nach einem Suizidversuch existieren, gibt es unseres Wissens nur wenige suizidspezifische, häusliche Behandlungsdienste für Menschen nach einem Suizidversuch.
• Das Angebot besteht aus drei bis vier Sitzungen. In der ersten Sitzung erzählen die Patienten in ihren eigenen Worten die Geschichte ihres Suizidversuchs. Diese Sitzung wird videographiert. In der zweiten Sitzung wird die Aufnahme gemeinsam mit dem/der Therapeuten:in angeschaut. Ziel ist es, Hintergründe suizidaler Krisen besser zu verstehen und gemeinsam individuelle Strategien zur Vorbeugung weiterer Krisen zu erarbeiten. In der dritten Sitzung werden Hintergründe, längerfristige Therapieziele sowie Warnzeichen und Strategien gemeinsam erarbeitet. Diese werden in einem persönlichen Krisenplan (Leporello) schriftlich festgehalten. Im Anschluss an die Kurztherapie erhalten die Patienten über zwei Jahre hinweg Briefe von ihrem:r Therpeuten:in.
• Patient:innenn aus den Kantonen Bern, Zürich, Waadt und Neuenburg werden für die Evaluation von ASSIP HT berücksichtigt.
• Die zuständige Ethikkommission hat die Evaluation geprüft und bewilligt. Eine Beschreibung der Evaluation finden Sie auch auf der Internetseite ClinicalTrials.gov, ein Register für klinische Studien.