Background: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of reality therapy on cases with major depression and suicide attempt.

Materials and Methods: The methodology of this research study was quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test. For the sake of this study, available sample of 14 patients diagnosed with major depression who have had at least one suicidal attempt were selected from NAJA Imam Sajjad hospital and divided randomly into two groups of test and control, with seven cases in each group. Research procedure was a clinical trial. Patients were assessed using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI- II). The test group underwent five sessions of reality therapy. The control group only received drug therapy. In the end, both groups filled up the Beck Depression Inventory once again. After data collection and control for pre-test, data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistical index and compared using single variable ANCOVA.

Results: The results showed that, although both reality therapy and drug therapy had an impact on reducing depression, but reality therapy was more effective, so that the recovery index for depression variables had a lower average in reality therapy group compared with drug therapy group; and reality therapy in comparison with drug therapy had statistically larger effect on reducing depression of suicidal attempts at the significant level of (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Considering the results of this study, it is suggested that the intervention of reality therapy treatment be used to reduce depression of the individuals with suicide attempt.