BACKGROUND: Over 20 % of all adult suicide deaths in the U.S. occur within one year following jail release. Individuals may have increased access to lethal means, be faced with numerous financial, legal, and social stressors, and encounter a resurgence of legal problems. Suicide prevention interventions have demonstrated effects. Widespread implementation of these interventions for individuals leaving jail detention could have a significant impact on national suicide rates.
METHODS: The 5S Study (Syncing, Screening, and Services for Suicide Prevention among Health & Jail Systems) aims to prevent suicide attempts among adults aged 18+ who are recently released from jail. Data from public jail release reports are synced with electronic health record (EHR) systems to enable proactive health system outreach. Those randomized to the intervention are contacted and consented, undergo a suicide risk screening and create a safety plan. Care Coordinators connect participants to health services. High risk participants, identified by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), are offered the Coping Long Term with Active Suicide Program (CLASP), an evidence-based suicide prevention intervention. Those randomized to control are never contacted and receive usual care. There is a waiver of consent for the control condition and a waiver of written consent for the intervention condition.
DISCUSSION: The 5S Study uses data linkage between EHRs and jails to identify and connect with those recently released from jail, a population historically at high risk. Trial results will highlight best practices for syncing these data and offering support during the transition back to the community.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06506344.