Feasibility, Acceptability, and Impact of the Couples Crisis Response Plan (CCRP) to Reduce Post-Discharge Suicide Risk: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Most suicide interventions focus on the individual and exclude a relationship partner. This is despite substantial evidence from other mental health conditions that including family members in care improves outcomes. The present study is a pilot randomized controlled trial of a partner-involved adaptation of CRP examining feasibility, acceptability, and impact.

METHODS: Ninety-one active-duty service members and their romantic partners were recruited from an inpatient psychiatric unit. Couples were randomized to: (1) the Couples Crisis Response Plan (CCRP) condition or (2) a couples psychoeducation (CPE) condition and completed 1, 3, and 6 month follow up assessments.

RESULTS: Feasibility analyses show that participants and their partners were recruited and retained. Acceptability analyses showed over 90% of patients and 70%-96% of partners were satisfied with the interventions. No differences emerged between the CCRP and the CPE in suicide ideation or suicidal behavior, but patients in CCRP reported significantly fewer negative communication patterns throughout follow up and fewer suicidal cognitions at 6 month follow-up compared to those in CPE.

CONCLUSIONS: Partner-involved brief suicide prevention interventions are feasible and acceptable. The skills-based CCRP intervention may reduce destructive communication patterns and degrade suicidal cognitions more than a couples psychoeducation session.