In light of all the recent discussion about antidepressant drugs that increase the risk of attempted suicide, we thought we’d highlight the study that came out last year, which showed that Cognitive Therapy (developed by Aaron T. Beck, M.D. in the 1960s) can reduce attempted suicide by 50% among those who have recently attempted suicide. This study, funded by the NIH and the CDC, followed 120 patients, half of whom were randomly assigned to 10 Cognitive Therapy treatment sessions, and the other half of whom received usual community services. At the 18 month follow-up, those who had not received CT treatment were twice as likely to attempt suicide as those who had received CT treatment. Check out the NY Times coverage of this study (you have to be registered to view the article – registration is free).