Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program for Older Adults (ASSIP-OA): An Evaluation of a Psychosocial Intervention for Suicidal Adults Aged 65+

"ASSIP-OA + TAU~* First session. Narrative interview focusing on the background of the suicidal crisis. The patient receives a psychoeducational text to read and comment on as homework.~* Second session. Video playback. The patient and therapist watch the video recording from session 1 together, periodically pausing the video to comment and add information.~* Third session. Compilation of a written case conceptualization of the individual's vulnerability and triggering events that preceded the suicidal crisis.~* Fourth session. An optional extra session to further train safety strategies.~* Fifth session (optional). Includes one or two close relatives or other support person(s), chosen by the participant. The session focus on how safety measures learned in in ASSIP-OA can be translated into everyday life.~* Standardized letters. therapists will send standardized letters every third month during the first year and biannually during the second year."

Antidepressant medication, alone or in combination with other types of psychoactive drugs (sedatives/antipsychotics/hypnotics/mood stabilizers) constitute the cornerstone of treatment for suicidal older adults. Persons with serious depression or treatment-resistant depression may be offered electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Some persons may receive supportive/therapeutic contacts with mental health professionals (nurses/social workers/psychologists) but no psychosocial interventions designed specifically for suicidal older adults are offered as part of ordinary treatment at the participating clinics.