Protocol for the evaluation of a non-clinical, community based facilitated support group for people who have previously attempted suicide

Abstract

<p><b>Background:</b> A research protocol is presented for the evaluation of the Eclipse group, an 8-week closed group for people who have previously attempted suicide, which aims to reduce future suicide and increase resilience and support identification and help seeking. The psychoeducational content directly addresses dealing with suicidal thoughts, suicide safety planning, increasing resilience and identifying and utilising social and professional supports. </p><p><b>Methods:</b> A mixed methods research protocol is presented to evaluate the effectiveness of such a group being trialled in Australia for adults who have previously attempted suicide. The primary outcome measure is suicide ideation, with secondary outcome measures being psychological distress, resilience, support identification and help seeking. Quantitative data are collected at four time points using standardized self-report measures. At the third and fourth data collection points qualitative data are also collected. </p><p>We will use repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) to examine the effectiveness of the program in terms of changes in the self-reported measures from pre- to immediate post-test, then follow-up at 1- and 6-months. The qualitative data will be thematically analysed using a narrative framework to explore the meanings participants attribute to participation in the group, their psychosocial distress and relationship with suicide and how they engage with support when needed. </p><p><b>Discussion:</b> The evidence for non-clinical support groups is both scant and of generally poor quality. Thus a robust research protocol to evaluate the effectiveness of such a group for those who have previously attempted suicide is offered to improve and extend the evidence base. The Eclipse group offers a non-clinical, community-based program for people with a history of attempted suicide.</p><p><b>Trial Registration:</b> This research protocol was retrospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) (ACTRN:12619000542190) on 05/04/2019,<a href="https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=377318&isReview=true"> https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=377318&isReview=true</a></p>