A Brief Mind-Body Bridging Intervention for Suicidal Ideation

The aim of this study is to determine whether a Brief Mind-Body Bridging Intervention for Suicidal Ideation (MBB-SI) will result in short or longer-term reduction of psychological factors associated with suicidal ideation (SI) and/or suicide-related behaviors (SRB's) compared to Treatment as Usual (TAU).

Participants assigned to Treatment As Usual (TAU) will receive the normal standard of care treatment from the Suicide Prevention Team and the Mental Health Service which may include individual therapy, group therapy, and/or medication therapy, all as decided by the individual and his/her doctor. Treatment as usual also includes monitoring by the Suicide Prevention Team.

Participants assigned to TAU + MBB will will receive treatment from the Suicide Prevention Team and the Mental Health Service, AND will be asked to participate in four, 90-minute Mind Body Bridging group sessions that will occur for four weeks in a row. Each group will involve up to 15 participants and will be led by a trained MBB facilitator.

Participants assigned to TAU + MBB will will receive treatment from the Suicide Prevention Team and the Mental Health Service, AND will be asked to participate in four, 90-minute Mind Body Bridging group sessions that will occur for four weeks in a row. Each group will involve up to 15 participants and will be led by a trained MBB facilitator. Participants will receive a workbook at the beginning of the training that contains an explanation of all the major concepts involved in Mind Body Bridging. The workbook has homework assignments to be completed daily between group sessions.

Determine if there is a significant difference in the frequency and/or intensity of suicidal ideation, as measured by the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS) among the MBB-SI + TAU cohort compared to the TAU. We will use the total BSS score, ranging from 0 to 38. Increased scores reflect greater suicide risk.

Weekly during the intervention, one-month post-intervention, three months post-intervention, six months post-intervention

Inclusion Criteria: Subjects will be Veterans aged 18-70 with psychiatric and/or addictive disorders who are on the High Risk Suicide List because of suicidal ideations and/or behaviors. Exclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of psychotic spectrum illness and current psychotic symptoms or significant cognitive impairment.