Prepped and Ready: A Digital Intervention for Caregivers to Reduce Suicide Risk in Youth

Abstract

Background

Prepped and Ready is a novel intervention designed to enhance caregiver knowledge of means restriction—a suicide prevention strategy that can be implemented in the home. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the extent to which participation in Prepped and Ready is associated with changes in caregivers’ implementation of means restriction.

Methods

Participants independently viewed the single-session digital intervention. Survey data were collected at pre-intervention (T1), post-intervention (T2), and three-week follow-up (T3).

Results

A total of 550 participants (90.9% female, 86.2% White, 68.5% college-educated, and 51.3% from suburban areas) completed the intervention and the T1 and T2 surveys, while 60.7% completed the T3 survey. The proportion of participants locking medications increased from 44.2% at T1 to 82.5% at T3 (OR = 103, 95% CI: 17–637, p < 0.001). Among firearm owners, adoption of the safest storage method increased from 31.3% at T1 to 61.0% at T3 (OR 9.2, 95% CI: 4-19, p < 0.001). Nearly all participants (99.3%) agreed Prepped and Ready provided value.

Conclusions

This study suggests that a brief intervention for caregivers has promise for improving implementation of means restriction practices. Further research is needed to bolster confidence in the generalizability of findings.

Plain Language Summary

Prepped and Ready is a novel intervention designed to reduce risk of suicide among youth. Caregivers were educated through videos (<1 hour total) about the impulsivity of youth and how securing firearms and medications can reduce risk within the home. After completing surveys about storage patterns and watching videos, caregivers were mailed a safety toolkit, including a bag to dispose of unnecessary medications, a lockable medication storage box, a cable gun lock and a gun lockbox (for firearm owners). Five hundred fifty participants completed the intervention, and sixty percent completed the final survey. Participants reported their satisfaction with the intervention and storage patterns at baseline and three weeks after the intervention. Among firearm owners, those who reported using the safest storage method possible increased from 31% at baseline to 61% at the final survey. The fraction of those reporting secure storage of medications increased from 44% at baseline to 82% at the final survey. Nearly all (99%) of participants agreed that Prepped and Ready provided value. The study population was largely composed of females (90%) who were college educated (68%) limiting the generalizability of the findings. This study provides support for the idea that a single session intervention may be a promising approach to encourage parents to secure firearms and medications, with an end result in reducing youth suicide attempts.