MIRECC / CoE
18 & 19: Self-Guided Digital Interventions & Technology-based Tools
Risk Management and Treatment » Technology-based Modalities
18 & 19: Self-Guided Digital Interventions & Technology-based Tools
18
We suggest the use of self-guided digital interventions (app or web) that include, but are not limited to, cognitive behavioral-therapeutic content for short-term reduction in suicidal ideation.
Strength:
Weak for
Category:
ReviewedNew-replaced
19
There is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against the use of standalone or adjunctive technology-based tools (e.g., mobile and web apps, automated telephone-based) to reduce the risk of suicide attempts or suicide.
Strength:
Neither for nor against
Category:
ReviewedNew-replaced
Grades and Definitions
- Strong for
- or "We recommend offering this option …"
- Weak for
- or "We suggest offering this option …"
- No recommendation
- or "There is insufficient evidence …"
- Weak against
- or "We suggest not offering this option …"
- Strong against
- or "We recommend against offering this option …"
Categories and Definitions |
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---|---|---|
Evidence Reviewed* | Recommendation Category* | Definition* |
Reviewed | New-added | New recommendation following review of the evidence |
New-replaced | Recommendation from previous CPG that has been carried over to the updated CPG that has been changed following review of the evidence | |
Not changed | Recommendation from previous CPG that has been carried forward to the updated CPG where the evidence has been reviewed but the recommendation is not changed | |
Amended | Recommendation from the previous CPG that has been carried forward to the updated CPG where the evidence has been reviewed and a minor amendment has been made | |
Deleted | Recommendation from the previous CPG that has been removed based on review of the evidence | |
Not reviewed | Not changed | Recommendation from previous CPG that has been carried forward to the updated CPG, but for which the evidence has not been reviewed |
Amended | Recommendation from the previous CPG that has been carried forward to the updated CPG where the evidence has not been reviewed and a minor amendment has been made | |
Deleted | Recommendation from the previous CPG that has been removed because it was deemed out of scope for the updated CPG | |
*Adapted from the NICE guideline manual (2012): The guidelines manual. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence;2012. and Martinez Garcia L, McFarlane E, Barnes S, Sanabria AJ, Alonso-Coello P, Alderson P. Updated recommendations: An assessment of NICE clinical guidelines. Implement Sci. 2014;9:72. |
Recommendation Resources
Digital health care technology can be defined broadly as software programs, websites, apps, and other internet or computerized resources that facilitate the delivery of self-guided care, health and user learning. The Work Group found weak evidence to support the use of self-guided digital interventions that directly target suicidal ideation and support behaviors to reduce suicidal ideation. Studies evaluating the effect of technology-based interventions as adjuncts to routine suicide prevention treatment are rare.
Training and Clinical Resources
This section includes recommended training and/or clinical resources about self-guided digital interventions and technology-based tools.
- VA Virtual Care Tools
- Clinician's Guide: VA Virtual Care Tools
- VA Veteran Training
- Sleep EZ
- Moving Forward
Videos
This section includes recommended videos about self-guided digital interventions and technology-based tools.
Return to Resource OptionsWebinars
This section includes recommended webinars about self-guided digital interventions and technology-based tools.
- Digital Delivery of Treatment Protocols as Upstream and Downstream Suicide Prevention Strategies: State of the Science Presenters: Drs. Lisa A. Brenner & Carolyn Greene
- Suicide Prevention 2.0 Clinical Telehealth Program Presented by Dr. Jessica Walker
Mobile Apps
This section includes recommended mobile applications about self-guided digital interventions and technology-based tools.
Return to Resource OptionsPodcasts
This section includes recommended podcasts about self-guided digital interventions and technology-based tools.
- Rocky Mountain MIRECC Short Takes on Suicide Prevention
- A Mobile Safety Planning App with Dr. Pearl McGee-Vincent
- Insomnia, Treatment, and Finding a Path to Better Sleep with Drs. Carolyn Green and Andrew Moon
- Talking to T2 about Mobile Apps for Mental Health
Articles
This section includes recommended articles about self-guided digital interventions and technology-based tools.
- 2020). Mobile App for Mental Health Monitoring and Clinical Outreach in Veterans: Mixed Methods Feasibility and Acceptability Study. Journal of medical Internet research, 22(8). e15506. https://doi.org/10.2196/15506 (
- 2020). Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Reduce Suicidal Ideation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA network open, 3(4), e203933. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.3933 (
- 2017). A Virtual Hope Box: Randomized Controlled Trial of a Smartphone App for Emotional Regulation and Coping With Distress. Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.). 68(4), 330–336. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201600283 (
- 2013). The effect of a web-based depression intervention on suicide ideation: secondary outcome from a randomised controlled trial in a helpline. BMJ open, 3(6). e002886. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002886 (
- 2023). Telephone-Delivered Interventions for Suicide Prevention in Schizophrenia and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland). 11(3), 432. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11030432 (
- 2023). Pilot feasibility trial of a brief mobile-augmented suicide prevention intervention for serious mental illness. Psychiatric rehabilitation journal, 46(1). 74–82. https://doi.org/10.1037/prj0000547 (
- 2021). Using a Tablet-Based App to Deliver Evidence-Based Practices for Suicidal Patients in the Emergency Department: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR mental health, 8(3). e23022. https://doi.org/10.2196/23022 (
- 2015). Web-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention for the Prevention of Suicidal Ideation in Medical Interns: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA psychiatry, 72(12). 1192–1198. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.1880 (
- 2016). Using telehealth to augment an intensive case monitoring program in veterans with schizophrenia and suicidal ideation: A pilot trial. Psychiatry research, 239. 111–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2016.02.049 (
- 2023). A blended face-to-face and smartphone intervention to improve suicide prevention literacy and help-seeking intentions among construction workers: a randomised controlled trial. Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, 58(6). 871–881. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-023-02429-9 (
- 2015). Online suicide risk screening and intervention with college students: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 83(3). 630–636. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0038805 (
- 2017). Is cognitive behavioural therapy effective in reducing suicidal ideation and behaviour when delivered face-to-face or via e-health? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cognitive behaviour therapy, 46(5). 353–374. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2017.1332095 (
- 2022). The Effectiveness of Mobile Apps for Monitoring and Management of Suicide Crisis: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Journal of clinical medicine, 11(19). 5616. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11195616 (
- 2022). Effect of Offering Care Management or Online Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training vs Usual Care on Self-harm Among Adult Outpatients With Suicidal Ideation: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, 327(7). 630–638. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2022.0423 (
- 2020). Suicide prevention using self-guided digital interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. The Lancet. Digital health, 2(1). e25–e36. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2589-7500(19)30199-2 (
- 2017). Effectiveness of online and mobile telephone applications ('apps') for the self-management of suicidal ideation and self-harm: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC psychiatry, 17(1). 297. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1458-0 (