Enhancing Executive Functions through Cognitive-Based Intervention in Individuals with Suicidal Ideation and Attempts

One of the primary causes of death around the world can be attributed to suicidality. Almost 1 million people across the globe commit suicide annually. Neurocognition has an impact on suicidal ideation, and deficits in cognitive markers influence the progression of suicide-related thoughts to behaviours. The present study aims to determine the efficacy of cognitive-based intervention on executive functions implicated in suicidal ideation and suicide attempters. A mixed-method approach was followed, which involved intervention and a quantitative and qualitative analysis. A group of 22 participants aged between 18 and 25 years with suicidal ideation and behaviour was chosen. Ten participants reported having suicidal ideation and no history of suicide attempt or self-harm, whereas 12 participants reported having suicidal ideation and at least one attempt at self-harm or suicidal behaviour. All the participants were assessed on planning, verbal fluency, and response inhibition tests. The participants then receive eight sessions of cognitive-behavioural intervention focusing on suicidal behaviour and thoughts. Post-therapy, the participants underwent a reassessment of their executive functions. The results suggested that cognitive behaviour-based therapy significantly improved planning, verbal fluency, and response inhibition. The feeling of entrapment and the level of depression were qualitatively found to be influencing suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. The study paves the way for further exploration of factors that predict suicide and determines the cause-and-effect relationship between the factors.