Author: cjbryan

Why does 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 (𝗕𝗖𝗕𝗧) consistently outperform other treatments in preventing suicide attempts?

A new meta-analysis offers a powerful clue: it’s not just the therapy—it’s the way we assess suicide risk.

Across 23 clinical trials, treatments that used a 𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁—inviting patients to tell the unfolding story of their suicidal struggles—were associated with significant reductions in suicide attempts. Treatments that relied on traditional, checklist-style risk interviews did not show the same benefit.

This finding reinforces what many clinicians have observed firsthand: when people feel heard, understood, and empowered to share their lived experience, treatment changes in meaningful ways.

Curious about the full analysis?
📄 Read it here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2841680

A new JAMA Psychiatry study conducted by STRENGTHENS researchers evaluated the efficacy of Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (BCBT) vs an active comparator (present-centered therapy) among high-risk US military personnel and veterans reporting suicidal ideation or recent behaviors. Researchers found that participants receiving BCBT had a 75% lower rate of suicide attempts compared with the comparator group (5.6% vs 27.9%). Suicidal ideation decreased in both groups with no difference between treatments. This is the fifth randomized clinical trial (RCT) supporting BCBTs efficacy for reducing suicide attempts, providing further evidence supporting BCBT’s clinical utility.

Read the full article here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2840019

A JAMA Network Open study conducted in part by STRENGTHENS researchers tested a digital therapeutic for psychiatric inpatients at elevated suicide risk. While the intervention didn’t significantly change time to first suicide attempt overall, it showed meaningful benefits for those with prior attempts—including fewer repeat attempts and sustained reductions in suicidal thoughts over 24 weeks. These findings highlight the promise of targeted, scalable digital tools to support recovery and safety during the critical transition from inpatient to outpatient care.

Read the full article here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2837367