Brief Intervention

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.

This clinical trial aims to investigate the short and long-term efficacy of a harm reduction intervention in reducing the use of non-clinical anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) in abusive users of AAS. As secondary objectives, the study will investigate the intervention's effect on health parameters (i.e., blood), quality of life, sleep quality, body image, eating behavior, depression, anxiety, fatigue, aggressiveness, cardiovascular parameters, muscle strength, body composition and muscle cross-sectional area outcomes.

This is a mixed-methods study consisting of a qualitative assessment the acceptability of psychosocial interventions, delivered by clinical staff. The study will also investigate the correlation between demographic variables and engagement with a North West England, NHS-led, alcohol care service, amongst the patient population.