Assessing the implementation of suicide-focused treatments delivered in hybrid telemental health format in a real-world setting

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the implementation of suicide-focused treatments delivered via a hybrid telemental health (TMH) and in-person format. Method: This study was conducted at four university counseling centers (UCCs) across the United States. Treatment-seeking clients were recruited from their local UCCs and participated in adaptive treatment strategies (ATSs) involving Treatment as Usual (TAU), Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Implementation outcomes, including appropriateness, acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, safety, and client satisfaction, were assessed. UCC clinicians participated in qualitative interviews focused on implementation of TMH for clients presenting with suicidal ideation (SI). Results: Overall, treatments delivered via hybrid format were reported to be appropriate, acceptable, feasible, and satisfactory by clinicians and clients. Implementation of TMH was reported to be equivalent to in-person treatment across multiple measurement methods. Conclusion: Results from this study demonstrate that TMH is an implementable treatment modality for addressing suicidality, particularly for college students presenting to UCCs with SI. This study has implications for real-world clinical settings planning to offer hybrid treatment modalities to address SI. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04728815.