The Winnipeg Foundation

The purpose of the proposed study is to examine if a repeated treatment of High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) can increase the functional connectivity between the left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulate, which may further enhance the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy with mindfulness classes.

The proposed study will conduct a preliminary investigation of the effectiveness of two different psychotherapy classes at the Mental Health Crisis Response Centre (CRC) in reducing suicidal ideation. One class - Managing Difficult Emotions (MDE) - is an 8-session, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy-informed program that focuses on skills related to increasing tolerance for distress and emotion regulation such that harmful behaviors are reduced. The other class - Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBTm) - is a 4-session program that focuses on challenging and changing maladaptive beliefs and behaviors in order to reduce distress. Both classes are delivered in lecture style, PowerPoint format. The investigators will also examine the effectiveness of participation in psychotherapy classes in reducing symptoms of general psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and emotion dysregulation.