What the trial was testing
The SUMMIT enrolled 1,230 patients with depression. The study was sponsored by Mount Sinai Hospital, Canada and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
Researchers followed patients through treatment and into recovery, tracking the outcomes that mattered most for the disease being studied.
What the results showed
80% lower odds of suicidal thoughts at 3 months after brief behavioral therapy.
JAMA Psychiatry · 2025 · NCT04153864
These findings — that of endorsing suicide thoughts at 3 months after brief behavioral activation therapy — were published in the JAMA Psychiatry and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 1,230 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with depression, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
Behavioral activation therapy is widely available through trained therapists and can often be delivered by non-specialist providers. Many insurance plans cover psychotherapy. Postpartum mental health is a medical emergency — call 988 if in crisis. Ask your obstetrician or primary care doctor for a referral.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open depression trials
Mindfulness-Based Interventions Targeting First-Generation College Student Retention in Rural Environments
The goal of this randomized control group is to learn about effective treatments for college students experiencing anxiety and/or depression. The main questions this clinical trial aims to answer are: 1) Can mindfulness-based treatments increase retention rates among first-generation college students? 1) Can mindfulness-based treatments decrease anxiety and/or depression among first-generation college students? Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups: mindfulness meditation or psychoeducation. Researchers will compare outcomes from each group to explore treatment differences.
A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of DT-101 as an Adjunctive Treatment in Patients With Depression
In this study, researchers will learn more about a study drug called DT-101 in participants with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), a form of depression. The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if DT-101 can treat depression in adults. The effect of DT-101 will be compared to placebo. A placebo looks the drug but contains no medicine. Subjects will attend the clinic for complete general health checks and to complete questionnaires.