Beta Test of Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (BCBT) for Suicide Prevention
Deaths by suicide remain high in the military, with rates now surpassing that of the civilian population. Congress has mandated that the Armed Forces work to reduce suicide rates, encouraging clinicians and researchers to collaborate and focus efforts on improving the use of evidence-based treatments which target this population. In order to bring change, the Air Force Medical Operations Agency (AFMOA) partnered with the researchers at the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness (Clearinghouse) at the Pennsylvania State University to conduct an implementation evaluation of the feasibility and utility of Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (BCBT). BCBT is a promising intervention given the empirical support for its effectiveness in reducing suicide attempts for those at risk. Ultimately, there was not enough data from this beta test to determine whether or not BCBT is an appropriate treatment to be used in reducing suicide in suicidal patients within the Air Force.