Targeting suicidality in young adults: A randomized, controlled pragmatic, multicentre trial evaluating the (cost)-effectiveness of Attachment Based Family Therapy compared to Treatment as Usual. Suicidality in young adults is a common and serious mental health problem worldwide and certainly in the Netherlands and Belgium. It has devastating consequences both for the young adults themselves and for their families, with substantial economic costs. Current psychological therapy approaches and drug treatments for young people at very high risk of fatal suicide attempts have only limited success.
In line with the WHO’s recommendation to involve the family in treatment, we want to test a new type of therapy that aims to re-establish or strengthen connections within families to support the individual, called ‘Attachment Based Family Therapy’ (ABFT). This therapy was effective in several studies in the US. In both countries, this treatment is already being used in mental health care centres. However, how well it works compared to the current treatment and if it provides good value for money have not been studied in young adults.
In the proposed study we will investigate, in a real-life situation, whether ABFT as an add-on to treatment-as-usual works better than the current treatment and if it provides good value for money. This study is a collaboration between the Netherlands and Belgium, with 10 and 6 participating sites, respectively. Sites can be hospitals, mental health centres, student health centres or private practices. Participants (142 individuals) are young adults between 16 and 30 years old who have frequent thoughts about killing themselves, and who seek mental health treatment. We predict that, compared to only current treatment, ABFT combined with treatment-as-usual will reduce suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, that this improvement will be maintained over time, and that it will be cost-effective.
The project will contribute to improving care for suicidal young adults with high suicide risk. Results will inform clinical guidelines and policy makers and improve the treatment of suicidal young adults.
