Suicide Specific Rumination in Veterans

Few treatments target core features of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in Veterans. Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback can provide information regarding brain activation associated with suicide-specific rumination, defined as a "repetitive mental fixation on one's suicidal thoughts and intentions." The goal of this feasibility study is for Veterans to learn strategies for modulating activity within brain regions that have been demonstrated to contribute to the maintenance of rumination, as they receive neurofeedback feedback signals from the brain.

Inclusion Criteria: * U.S. military Veteran * negative pregnancy test on MRI scan days * score greater than or equal to 10 on the Suicide Rumination Scale * clinically stabilized on psychotropic medications * engaged in mental health care treatment * able to provide written, informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * no major medical or neurological disorders that could interfere with treatment * moderate or severe traumatic brain injury * current imminent suicide risk, as determined through psychiatric interview, responses to C-SSRS, and clinical judgment of the assessor * any current psychotic disorder * MRI contraindications * any substance use disorder for substances other than cannabis or alcohol (mild alcohol or cannabis use disorder does not exclude participants but moderate or severe alcohol or cannabis substance use disorder is disqualifying) * pregnant or trying to become pregnant