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Evaluation ViewAttendees 7

Mini Workshop

Suicide and Self-Injury

The Coping Long-Term with Active Suicide Program (CLASP): A Feasible Approach to Suicide Prevention During Patient Transitions of Care

Mini Workshop 22 - The Coping Long-term with Active Suicide Program (CLASP): A Feasible Approach to Suicide Prevention During Patient Transitions of Care

Saturday, November 16, 2024
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM EST
Location: Grand Ballroom C, Level 5, Downtown Marriott
Earn 1.5 Credit
Keywords: Suicide, Telehealth/m-Health, Prevention
Level of Familiarity: Basic
Recommended Readings: Dunlap, L. J., Orme, S., Zarkin, G. A., Arias, S. A., Miller, I. W., Camargo, C. A., Jr, Sullivan, A. F., Allen, M. H., Goldstein, A. B., Manton, A. P., Clark, R., & Boudreaux, E. D. (2019). Screening and Intervention for Suicide Prevention: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of the ED-SAFE Interventions. Psychiatric Services, 70, 1082–1087. ,   Miller, I., Camargo, C., Arias, S., Sullivan, A., Allen, M., Goldstein, A., Manton, A., Espinola, J., Jones, R., Hasegawa, K., & Boudreaux, E. (2017) Suicide Prevention in an Emergency Department Population: the ED-SAFE Study. JAMA-Psychiatry, 74, 563-570.,   Miller, I., Gaudiano, B., & Weinstock, L. (2016). The Coping Long Term with Active Suicide Program (CLASP): Description and pilot data. Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior, 46, 752-761.,   Rabasco, A., Arias, S., Benz, M. B., Weinstock, L. M., Miller, I., Boudreaux, E. D., Camargo, C. A., Jr, Kunicki, Z. J., & Gaudiano, B. A. (2024). Longitudinal risk of suicide outcomes in people with severe mental illness following an emergency department visit and the effects of suicide prevention treatment. Journal of Affective Disorders, 347, 477–485. ,  
Suicidal behavior is a major public health problem in this country. Despite the significance of this issue, relatively few interventions have been shown to reduce suicidal behavior that are also feasible to implement and have been empirically validated. We developed a novel psychosocial intervention called Coping Long Term with Active Suicide Program (CLASP) that targets multiple risk factors for suicide using a unique combination of formats (in-person and/or telehealth) and therapeutic strategies (values-goals clarification, problem solving, family/significant other support) that can be adapted to a wide range of settings. CLASP is an adjunctive intervention specifically designed to reduce subsequent suicidal behaviors in high-risk populations during times of acute risk or care transition (i.e., post-inpatient or emergency department discharge). CLASP has three major components: 1) initial individual meetings to establish rapport and a plan going forward, 2) a significant other/family meeting to leverage supports, and 3) brief (15-30 min) phone contacts with the patient and their significant other to monitor risk and facilitate progress toward valued goals. The strategies used in CLASP are adapted from two main therapeutic approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and the McMaster Model of Family Functioning. Recent iterations of CLASP have integrated additional telehealth and texting strategies into the approach. Research has demonstrated that CLASP produces significant reductions in suicide attempts and behaviors in high-risk patients transitioning from either emergency departments or psychiatric inpatient units. This mini-workshop will provide an overview of the CLASP intervention, intervention materials, video case examples, and empirical research.

Outline:
1. Why Target Suicide Risk?
2. Overview of the CLASP Model
a. Theoretical perspective
b. Therapeutic approach and stance
3. Empirical Support for CLASP (does it work?)
a. Post-hospital discharge
b. Post-emergency department visit
4. Description of CLASP (what do we really do?)
a. Initial sessions – Focus on values
b. Life Plan
c. Telephone contacts
d. Significant other involvement
5. Questions

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, the learner will be able to:
  1. Describe the main principles of the CLASP intervention, its components, and empirical research.
  2. Discuss the advantages and challenges of providing a telehealth-based intervention to high-risk individuals with suicidal behaviors.
  3. Assess the need for more cost-effective interventions for suicide prevention.
  4. Explain how the CLASP intervention integrates individual therapy, family intervention and case management.
  5. Demonstrate the use of values-based intervention in suicide prevention.
  6. Long-term Goal: Select effective clinical strategies to prevent suicidal behaviors in at-risk individuals.
  7. Long-term Goal: Create an effective treatment plan for individuals with suicidal behaviors.