From Hardship to Hope: A Peer-led Intervention to Reduce Financial Hardship and Suicide Risk
Suicide, Suicide Ideation, Suicidal Behavior
About this trial
This is an interventional supportive care trial for Suicide
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Working age (Self-reported age between 18-64)
- Lives of works in NYC (Self-report)
- Objective financial hardship (Financial Hardship Screening Tool (FHST) - endorses one or more financial hardship indicators, e.g., inability to repay debts, difficulty meeting basic needs, inability to pay bills on time)
- Moderate-to-high suicide risk (Self-report Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C- SSRS) Screener (endorses active suicidal ideation, active suicidal ideation with method, active suicidal ideation with some intent in the past month, or passive suicidal ideation with suicidal behavior in past three months) (Yes to Items 2, 3 or 4, or Yes to 1 and 6).
- Receiving clinical treatment (Currently enrolled in therapy or otherwise receiving treatment; alternatively, willing to begin mental health treatment prior to the start of the intervention)
- Willing to participate in a financial wellness intervention (Self-report)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Active SI with plan and intent in the past month (Self-report C-SSRS Screener (Yes to item 5, i.e., active suicidal ideation with plan and intent in the past month)
- Recent suicidal behavior within the past two weeks (Self-report C-SSRS Screener (Yes to item 6, i.e., has engaged in suicidal behaviors in the past two weeks)
- Florid psychosis or acute intoxication in need of detoxification (Clinical assessment by Anxiety Disorders Clinic psychiatrist or psychologist)
- Require ER/hospitalization (Clinical assessment by Anxiety Disorders Clinic psychiatrist or psychologist)
- Cognitive impairment (Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) conducted by psychiatrist for those over age 60. MMSE score below 25)
Sites / Locations
- New York State Psychiatric Institute
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Experimental
From Hardship to Hope: Financial Wellness Intervention
From Hardship to Hope: A Peer-led intervention to reduce financial hardship and suicide risk Over the course of this study, the investigators will develop and pilot a financial wellness intervention to work in tandem with clinical treatment. The intervention will support individuals experiencing financial hardship and suicide risk to address their financial difficulties (e.g., debt, inability to meet basic needs) by coaching them on financial management techniques, facilitating a financial wellness plan, and connecting them with community-based financial supports (e.g., free financial counseling). The intervention will be facilitated by trained peer specialists, who are individuals with lived experience of financial hardship and suicidal ideation or suicidal behaviors who are state certified peer specialists (having met formal training and experience requirements).