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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2024 Feb;54(1):154-166.
doi: 10.1111/sltb.13028. Epub 2023 Dec 14.

Brief video training for suicide prevention in veterans: A randomized controlled trial of VA S.A.V.E

Alan R Teo  1   2 , Elizabeth R Hooker  1 , Aaron A Call  1 , Steven K Dobscha  1   2 , Stephanie Gamble  3   4 , Wendi F Cross  3 , Carie Rodgers  5   6
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Brief video training for suicide prevention in veterans: A randomized controlled trial of VA S.A.V.E

Alan R Teo et al. Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2024 Feb.

Abstract

Introduction: VA S.A.V.E. (Signs; Ask; Validate; Encourage/Expedite) is a gatekeeper training developed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that teaches individuals to identify and assist veterans at risk for suicide. Although VA S.A.V.E. has been widely disseminated, rigorous evaluation is lacking.

Methods: In a pilot randomized controlled trial of a brief, video-based version of VA S.A.V.E., individuals were recruited through Facebook, randomized to VA S.A.V.E. versus an attention control condition, and completed 6-month follow-up. A subgroup (n = 15) completed interviews. We used a mixed methods framework to integrate quantitative and qualitative findings.

Results: Among 214 participants, 61% were spouses/partners of veterans and 77% had prior suicide exposure. Sixty-seven percent (n = 68) of VA S.A.V.E. participants watched the entire video, and satisfaction and usability were highly rated. At 6-month follow-up, compared to the control group, the VA S.A.V.E. group had a higher proportion of participants use each gatekeeper behavior (66.7%-84.9% vs. 44.4%-77.1%), and used significantly more total gatekeeper behaviors (2.3 ± 0.9 vs. 1.8 ± 1.0; p = 0.01). Interviews supported positive reactions, learning, and behavior change from VA S.A.V.E.

Conclusion: VA S.A.V.E. merits further investigation into its effectiveness as a brief, scalable gatekeeper training for suicide prevention in veterans.

Keywords: education; military; online; remote trial.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Engagement in the training video. Results are shown as the percent of participants in each study arm who remained on the training video webpage over the duration of each training video. Sections of the VA S.A.V.E. and control video are labeled (S1: Introduction; S2: Myths and facts; S3: Components of the S.A.V.E. model; S4: Resources; S5: Scripted vignettes; S6: Conclusion and recap; S7: End of VA S.A.V.E. video; C1: End of control group video).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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