CRP Research

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The efficacy of the CRP as a stand-alone intervention  was established in a randomized clinical trial published in 2017 in the Journal of Affective Disorders. In this study, the CRP was compared to existing suicide prevention methods (referred to as "treatment as usual") available in an emergency department and mental health clinics. Individuals who received the CRP were 76% less likely to make a suicide attempt during the 6 month follow-up period. The CRP also contributed to faster reductions in suicidal ideation. 

The CRP was also a central component of Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (BCBT), which reduces suicidal behavior by 60% as compared to treatment as usual. 

Versions of the CRP have been used in treatments shown to reduce suicidal behaviors:

• Attempted suicide short intervention program (ASSIP);
• Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CT-SP); and
• Emergency Department Safety Assessment and Follow-Up Evaluation (ED-SAFE).

Other CRP research findings:

• The CRP immediately reduces negative emotional distress and suicidal intent among suicidal individual (Bryan et al., 2017);
• Discussing an individual's reasons for living during the CRP increases hope, leads to larger reductions in suicidal intent, and decrease the likelihood of psychiatric hospitalization (Bryan et al., 2017).
• Suicidal individuals who include reasons for living on their CRP report significant increases in optimism (Rozek et al., 2018)
• Suicidal individuals who use their CRP with reasons for living included show faster reductions in suicide ideation (Bryan et al., 2017)
• The CRP can be readily integrated with other therapies (Rozek & Bryan, 2020)

Additional studies are underway to further test the CRP and to improve its effects. 

Bryan, C. J., Corso, K. A., Neal-Walden, T. A., & Rudd, M. D. (2009). Managing suicide risk in primary care: Practice recommendations for behavioral health consultants. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 40(2), 148-155. (available here)

Bryan, C. J., May, A. M., Rozek, D. C., Williams, S. R., Clemans, T. A., Mintz, J., ... & Burch, T. S. (2018). Use of crisis management interventions among suicidal patients: Results of a randomized controlled trial. Depression and anxiety, 35(7), 619-628. (available here)

 Bryan, C. J., Mintz, J., Clemans, T. A., Burch, T. S., Leeson, B., Williams, S., & Rudd, M. D. (2018). Effect of crisis response planning on patient mood and clinician decision making: A clinical trial with suicidal US soldiers. Psychiatric Services, 69(1), 108-111.  (available here)

Bryan, C. J., Mintz, J., Clemans, T. A., Leeson, B., Burch, T. S., Williams, S. R., ... & Rudd, M. D. (2017). Effect of crisis response planning vs. contracts for safety on suicide risk in US Army Soldiers: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Affective Disorders, 212, 64-72. (available here)

Rozek, D. C., & Bryan, C. J. (2020). Integrating crisis response planning for suicide prevention into trauma‐focused treatments: A military case example. Journal of clinical psychology, 76(5), 852-864.  (available here)

Rozek, D. C., Keane, C., Sippel, L. M., Stein, J. Y., Rollo‐Carlson, C., & Bryan, C. J. (2019). Short‐term effects of crisis response planning on optimism in a US Army sample. Early intervention in psychiatry, 13(3), 682-685. (available here)

Rudd, M. D., Bryan, C. J., Wertenberger, E. G., Peterson, A. L., Young-McCaughan, S., Mintz, J., ... & Wilkinson, E. (2015). Brief cognitive-behavioral therapy effects on post-treatment suicide attempts in a military sample: results of a randomized clinical trial with 2-year follow-up. American Journal of Psychiatry, 172(5), 441-449. (available here)

Rudd, M. D., Mandrusiak, M., & Joiner Jr, T. E. (2006). The case against no‐suicide contracts: the commitment to treatment statement as a practice alternative. Journal of clinical psychology, 62(2), 243-251. (available here)