Groundbreaking Mobile App Slashes Repeat Suicide Attempts in High-Risk Patients
A pioneering mobile application named OTX-2022 has demonstrated remarkable success in dramatically lowering the rate of repeated suicide attempts by more than 58% among individuals recently discharged from hospital following a suicide attempt. This innovation was validated through a rigorous randomized clinical trial conducted collaboratively by Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine, along with Yale School of Medicine.
Targeted Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Sessions Delivered Digitally
Designed explicitly for people vulnerable to suicidal behavior, OTX-2022 offers a structured program composed of twelve brief educational sessions, each approximately 10 to 15 minutes long. These sessions employ cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques tailored to suicide prevention, focusing on crucial skills such as emotion regulation, safety planning, and reframing harmful thought patterns.
Clinical Trial Setup and Outcomes
The clinical trial enrolled 339 participants from several psychiatric hospitals across the United States between 2022 and 2024, all identified as high-risk after recent suicide attempts. Participants were randomly assigned to use either OTX-2022 or a control application that provided safety information and suicide education but lacked CBT-driven emotional coping strategies.
Results revealed that users of OTX-2022 exhibited a sustained decrease in suicidal thoughts and showed significantly greater clinical improvement compared with the control group. Impressively, throughout the study period, no suicide deaths occurred within the OTX-2022 group, while the control group recorded one such tragic outcome.
Addressing the Critical Post-Hospitalization Vulnerable Phase
The interval following discharge from psychiatric care is notoriously a peak period for suicide risk, demanding effective, continuous intervention. Dr. Craig Bryan, lead researcher and suicide prevention expert at Ohio State University, emphasized the challenge: “Though suicide-specific CBT is highly effective, access to trained therapists post-discharge is scarce. OTX-2022 provides an accessible alternative that bridges this critical gap.”
Combining Technology and Therapy to Save Lives
The OTX-2022 app utilizes an engaging mix of interactive chatbots, narrated videos, and dramatized patient stories to deliver its therapy modules, enhancing user engagement and emotional connection. This digital therapeutic approach presents an innovative pathway to extend vital mental health support beyond traditional clinical settings and into patients’ everyday lives, fostering resilience and safety where it is most needed.
A Promising Advancement in Mental Health Care
This breakthrough exemplifies how cutting-edge technology can address urgent public health challenges. Digital therapies like OTX-2022 herald a new era in mental health intervention, particularly for vulnerable populations facing barriers to continuous care. By combining evidence-based treatment with user-friendly mobile platforms, this app stands as a beacon of hope in the ongoing fight against suicide.