The Self-help Online against Suicidal thoughts (SOS) trial:study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

SPIRIT Checklist. (DOC 121 kb

Suicide risk management in research on internet-based interventions for depression:A synthesis of the current state and recommendations for future research

BACKGROUND: The number of studies examining internet-based interventions (IBIs) for depression is increasing. Although many individuals with depression experience suicidal ideation, there is only insufficient information available on how to manage and support individuals at risk of suicide in IBI trials. Here, we examined the current practice regarding the management of individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors in studies of IBIs for depression. METHODS: Information pertaining to the management of suicidality was extracted from 24 studies. Additionally, researchers in the field completed a questionnaire (n = 13) before being interviewed (n = 11) about their procedures and considerations regarding the management of suicidality. RESULTS: In most trials (N = 17; 71%), individuals at risk of suicide were excluded based on varying criteria. N = 7 studies used structured interviews and N = 5 studies used single items of self-report questionnaires for assessing suicidality. The nature and degree of support provided to individuals at risk of suicide varied and only one intervention comprised suicide-specific content. LIMITATIONS: Most experts referred to research on interventions with some level of human support (e.g. written feedback) which might limit the representativeness of the results of the interviews for unguided interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Suicidality is often treated more as an exclusion criterion rather than a treatable condition in research on IBIs for depression. This paper provides an overview of the current practice and gives recommendations for the design of future trials

The James Webb Space Telescope Mission

Twenty-six years ago a small committee report, building on earlier studies, expounded a compelling and poetic vision for the future of astronomy, calling for an infrared-optimized space telescope with an aperture of at least $4m$. With the support of their governments in the US, Europe, and Canada, 20,000 people realized that vision as the $6.5m$ James Webb Space Telescope. A generation of astronomers will celebrate their accomplishments for the life of the mission, potentially as long as 20 years, and beyond. This report and the scientific discoveries that follow are extended thank-you notes to the 20,000 team members. The telescope is working perfectly, with much better image quality than expected. In this and accompanying papers, we give a brief history, describe the observatory, outline its objectives and current observing program, and discuss the inventions and people who made it possible. We cite detailed reports on the design and the measured performance on orbit.Comment: Accepted by PASP for the special issue on The James Webb Space Telescope Overview, 29 pages, 4 figure

Effectiveness of an Internet-Based Self-help Therapy Program for Suicidal Ideation With Follow-up at 6 Months: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: The majority of individuals with suicidal ideation do not receive help, and every year close to 800,000 people die by suicide. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a guided internet-based self-help program compared to a waiting list control group in reducing suicidal ideation. Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, 402 individuals with suicidal ideation were assigned to a guided internet-based self-help program or a waiting list control group from September 13, 2016, to September 2, 2018. The primary outcome was suicidal ideation measured with the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation at postintervention (6 weeks after baseline). Results: Participants assigned to the internet-based self-help program experienced at postintervention a significant reduction on the primary outcome of suicidal ideation (mean difference: 2.91; 95% CI, 1.28 to 4.54; P = .0005, Cohen's d = 0.25) compared to the waiting list control group and on the secondary outcomes of hopelessness (mean difference: 1.98; 95% CI, 0.97 to 3.99) and worrying (mean difference: 5.19; 95% CI, 2.36 to 8.10). Six months later (follow-up), the difference between the groups remained significant for suicidal ideation, hopelessness, and worrying. A total of 28 (16.8%) of the participants in the intervention group reported negative effects from the internet-based self-help program. Conclusions: Internet-based self-help therapy was associated with a reduction in suicidal ideation at postintervention and 6-month follow-up. Some participants found it challenging to work with the therapeutic exercises, and we recommend that internet-based self-help therapy be implemented in mental health clinics or crisis lines, where support or online counseling is available

The effects of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for suicidal ideation or behaviors on depression, anxiety, and hopelessness in individuals with suicidal ideation : systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data

Background: Suicide is a global public health problem. Digital interventions are considered a low-threshold treatment option for people with suicidal ideation or behaviors. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) targeting suicidal ideation has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing suicidal ideation. However, suicidal ideation often is related to additional mental health problems, which should be addressed for optimal care. Yet, the effects of iCBT on related symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and hopelessness, remain unclear. Objective: We aimed to analyze whether digital interventions targeting suicidal ideation had an effect on related mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety, and hopelessness). Methods: We systematically searched CENTRAL, PsycInfo, Embase, and PubMed for randomized controlled trials that investigated guided or unguided iCBT for suicidal ideation or behaviors. Participants reporting baseline suicidal ideation were eligible. Individual participant data (IPD) were collected from eligible trials. We conducted a 1-stage IPD meta-analysis on the effects on depression, anxiety, and hopelessness-analyzed as 2 indices: symptom severity and treatment response. Results: We included IPD from 8 out of 9 eligible trials comprising 1980 participants with suicidal ideation. iCBT was associated with significant reductions in depression severity (b=-0.17; 95% CI -0.25 to -0.09; P<.001) and higher treatment response (ie, 50% reduction of depressive symptoms; b=0.36; 95% CI 0.12-0.60; P=.008) after treatment. We did not find significant effects on anxiety and hopelessness. Conclusions: iCBT for people with suicidal ideation revealed significant effects on depression outcomes but only minor or no effects on anxiety and hopelessness. Therefore, individuals with comorbid symptoms of anxiety or hopelessness may require additional treatment components to optimize care. Studies that monitor symptoms with higher temporal resolution and consider a broader spectrum of factors influencing suicidal ideation are needed to understand the complex interaction of suicidality and related mental health symptoms

Digital cognitive–behavioural therapy to reduce suicidal ideation and behaviours: a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data

QuestionDigital interventions based on cognitive–behavioural therapy (iCBT) is associated with reductions in suicidal ideation. However, fine-grained analyses of effects and potential effect-moderating variables are missing. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of iCBT on suicidal ideation, effect moderators, effects on suicide attempts and predictors of adherence.Study selection and analysisWe systematically searched CENTRAL, PsycINFO, Embase and PubMed for randomised controlled trials that investigated iCBT for suicidal ideation or behaviours. Participants reporting baseline suicidal ideation were eligible. We conducted a one-stage individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis. Suicidal ideation was the primary outcome, analysed as three indices: severity of suicidal ideation, reliable changes and treatment response.FindingsWe included IPD from nine out of ten eligible trials (2037 participants). iCBT showed significant reductions of suicidal ideation compared with control conditions across all indices (severity: b=−0.247, 95% CI −0.322 to −0.173; reliable changes: b=0.633, 95% CI 0.408 to 0.859; treatment response: b=0.606, 95% CI 0.410 to 0.801). In iCBT, the rate of reliable improvement was 40.5% (controls: 27.3%); the deterioration rate was 2.8% (controls: 5.1%). No participant-level moderator effects were identified. The effects on treatment response were higher for trials with waitlist-controls compared with active controls. There were insufficient data on suicide attempts. Human support and female gender predicted treatment adherence. The main source of potential bias was missing outcome data.ConclusionsThe current evidence indicates that iCBT is effective in reducing suicidal ideation irrespective of age, gender and previous suicide attempts. Future studies should rigorously assess suicidal behaviour and drop-out reasons.</jats:sec

The James Webb Space Telescope Mission

Twenty-six years ago a small committee report, building on earlier studies, expounded a compelling and poetic vision for the future of astronomy, calling for an infrared-optimized space telescope with an aperture of at least 4 m. With the support of their governments in the US, Europe, and Canada, 20,000 people realized that vision as the 6.5 m James Webb Space Telescope. A generation of astronomers will celebrate their accomplishments for the life of the mission, potentially as long as 20 yr, and beyond. This report and the scientific discoveries that follow are extended thank-you notes to the 20,000 team members. The telescope is working perfectly, with much better image quality than expected. In this and accompanying papers, we give a brief history, describe the observatory, outline its objectives and current observing program, and discuss the inventions and people who made it possible. We cite detailed reports on the design and the measured performance on orbit