Understanding and addressing suicidality and non-suicidal self-injury after acquired brain injury: Co-development of training, assessment, and support resources

Individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI; e.g., traumatic brain injury, stroke) face a 2-4 times greater risk of attempting and dying by suicide compared to the general population. Despite the well-established link between suicidality and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in non-ABI populations, no study has investigated NSSI in individuals with ABI. There is a lack of research to practically guide assessment and response to suicidality and NSSI in individuals with ABI. Funded by a School of Psychological Sciences Strategic Grant and an American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Pilot Innovation Grant, this project aims to co-develop practical training, assessment, and support resources for addressing suicidality and NSSI after ABI, tailored to the experiences, needs, and preferences of those who will use them. The project will involve scoping survey, qualitative interviews, and co-design methodologies and will combine a team of ABI clinicial scientists, suicide prevention experts, and individuals with living experience of ABI and suicidality. The project is suitable for a PhD student in either Clinical Neuropsychology or Clinical Psychology.