Research finding · August 2025
Suicide prevention interventions can be tailored to Crisis Stabilization Centers
Suicide prevention efforts are increasingly looking to Crisis Stabilization Centers (CSCs) as vital components of the mental health crisis response system. CSCs are short-term, community-based facilities that operate 24/7, accept walk-ins, and offer care regardless of ability to pay. They aim to divert individuals in crisis from emergency departments or jail by providing a safer, more supportive alternative staffed by interdisciplinary teams. Despite their growing role, there remains a lack of brief, recovery-oriented interventions designed specifically for the unique environment and workflow of CSCs. Most existing therapies are too lengthy or narrowly focused on immediate safety, leaving a gap in services that address both short-term stabilization and longer-term recovery, especially among populations experiencing housing instability, unemployment, and prior suicide attempts.
With support from AFSP, Dr. Jennifer Lockman and her team looked at how practical it would be to deliver THRIVE-C, a 60-minute, recovery-focused therapy, within CSCs, and whether participants found it helpful and engaging. The intervention includes four phases: building a therapeutic alliance, narrating the suicide crisis, exploring the broader life story to make meaning of suicidal experiences, and creating a “Meaningful Living Plan.” Dr. Lockman gathered feedback from three groups: CSC administrators and leaders across the U.S. (n = 15), study therapists employed at a Nashville-based CSC (n = 5), and CSC guests receiving care at that same facility (n = 54), many of whom were experiencing acute suicidal thoughts and behaviors and socioeconomic adversity. Across all groups, THRIVE-C was rated highly for feasibility, satisfaction, and fit for the setting. Ninety-four percent of guests completed all phases of the session, and most expressed strong intentions to continue treatment or engage in recovery-oriented behaviors after discharge. Additionally, no safety issues emerged. These findings support further testing of THRIVE-C and suggest that even a single-session intervention, when focused on meaning, connection, and empowerment, can offer hope and direction for individuals in crisis.
Citation: Lockman, J. D., Pisani, A. R., Angerer, B. P., Graham, A. C., Henry, J., & Lloyd, F. (2025). THRIVE: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Social Validity of a Brief Recovery-Focused Intervention in Crisis Stabilization Centers. Suicide & life-threatening behavior, 55(3), e70021. https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.70021
This finding comes from an AFSP-funded study — see the grant below ↓
