Mindfulness for Reducing Everyday Suicidal Thoughts (Mind-REST): A Daily Mindfulness Intervention for Adults with Suicidal Ideation

Background

Suicide is a significant public health concern; therefore, it is essential to develop interventions that effectively target suicidality and can be easily implemented with high-risk populations. This pilot randomized controlled trial investigated the feasibility and acceptability of a brief, daily, text-based mindfulness intervention (Mind-REST) targeting suicidality, as compared with a sham mindfulness control condition. A secondary aim was to examine potential differences in suicidal ideation within and between groups over the course of the study.

Methods

Participants included 82 adults with recent suicidal ideation or behaviors who completed 14 days of mindfulness or sham-mindfulness exercises, along with a daily diary survey each evening. Participants also completed a post-intervention survey and a one-month follow-up survey.

Results

Mind-REST was shown to be feasible and acceptable, as evidenced by high study completion and intervention compliance rates (88% and 89%, respectively) and positive participant feedback. There were greater reductions in suicidal ideation severity for participants in the Mind-REST condition compared with the control condition across post-intervention and follow-up, but not on a daily level.

Conclusions

Mind-REST demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy in reducing suicidal ideation; however, a larger trial is needed to fully examine the efficacy of the intervention.