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Testing Family Firearm Secure Storage Training (FFAST) to Prevent Suicide
Sponsor: VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
Summary
Firearms are the lethal means used in over 70% of Veteran suicides with rates of Veteran deaths via self-induced firearm injury rising dramatically (by 64.8%) from 2001 to 2022. Upstream, evidence-based lethal means safety interventions are urgently needed within the VA to address this serious issue. The Family Firearms Secure Storage Training (FFAST) intervention consists of single session in which Veterans and their concerned significant others (CSOs) are guided through a discussion on secure firearm storage practices and develop a safety plan to prepare them for a mental health crisis. This study aims to evaluate the relative effectiveness of FFAST against a control condition in promoting secure firearm storage planning, preparedness for a mental health crisis, and secure storage practices within Veterans and their CSOs. In addition, barriers and facilitating factors of implementing FFAST within the VA Caregiver Support Program and Suicide Prevention 2.0 will be examined to aid in the widespread adoption of FFAST across the VA.
Official title: Improving Secure Storage of Firearms to Reduce Suicide Deaths: A Hybrid Type 1 Implementation Effectiveness Randomized Controlled Trial of the Family Firearms Secure Storage Training (FFAST) Intervention
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 80 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
176
Start Date
2026-10-01
Completion Date
2030-09-30
Last Updated
2026-07-09
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
The Family Firearms Secure storage Training (FFAST) Intervention
The intervention consists of a brief, single-session intervention where a Veteran and their CSO work together to create a secure storage plan for firearms in the home in the event the Veteran experiences a mental health crisis, and how the CSO can support the Veteran during a crisis. This intervention can be used by any Veteran who owns firearms, and neither the Veteran nor CSO need to be experiencing mental health symptoms to participate. The intervention serves as an upstream method of suicide prevention that can be delivered in-person, through a telehealth appointment, or over the phone.
Health and Stress Counseling
HSC is a brief intervention where Veterans and their CSOs meet with an interventionist to learn how to support a Veteran's well-being. Areas include diet, exercise, sleep, stress, and other factors that may impact overall health.
Locations (1)
Eastern Colorado Health Care System
Aurora, Colorado, United States