Actively Recruiting
Caring Connections Youth Suicide Detection and Intervention Study
Led by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · Updated on 2026-03-17
180
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
59 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The goal of this pilot randomized control trial (RCT) is to test the feasibility of Caring Connections, a Culturally Adapted Linking Individuals Needing Care (CA-LINC) suicide prevention care coordination intervention for high-risk suicidal youth. This consumer-, community-, and theory-driven care coordination intervention is designed to reduce suicide ideation and behavior (SIB) by improving service engagement. Connections is a 90-day intervention that integrates engagement and follow-up strategies to assess/monitor suicide risk, facilitate service use referrals/linkages, develop/refine safety plans, and create villages of care. The intervention incorporates cultural promotive factors, empowerment, and motivational strategies aimed at supporting youth, enhancing strengths, promoting hope, improving family relationships, and reinforcing caring messages. Primary research questions include: Is Caring Connections feasible to use for suicidal high-risk youth? Does Caring Connections have the potential to reduce suicide ideation and behaviors among high-risk suicidal youth? For the pilot RCT, 80 youth participants ages 13-19 who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions: Caring Connections (n=40) or Treatment as Usual (n=40). Additionally, investigators will enroll 80 caregivers of youth meeting inclusion criteria and 20 Mental Healthcare, Healthcare Providers, Community Stakeholders, and/or Care Coordinators with experience working with suicidal youth. Researchers will compare those receiving Caring Connections with treatment as usual to see if suicidal ideation and behaviors, and engagement.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Caring Connections Youth Suicide Detection and Intervention Study
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Youth aged 13 to 19 years old
- Current or recent (less than 90 days) suicide ideation, planning, attempts, or nonsuicidal self-injurious behaviors as reported by youth or caregiver or positive screening on specific questionnaires
- Able to fluently speak and read English
- History of difficulty accessing services
- Written assent for youth under 18 years old
- Written consent from parent/legal guardian for youth under 18
- Written consent from youth aged 18-19
- Primary caregiver of a youth meeting above criteria, age over 18, fluent in English, without intellectual disabilities, and providing consent
- Mental health, healthcare providers, or community stakeholders experienced with suicidal youth, age over 18, fluent in English, without intellectual disabilities, and providing consent
- Care coordinators working with underserved youth, age over 18, fluent in English, without intellectual disabilities
You will not qualify if you...
- Youth at imminent suicide risk as reported or indicated on screening
- Youth with severe cognitive, language, or developmental delays
- Youth not meeting inclusion criteria
- Caregivers not meeting inclusion criteria
- Providers or community stakeholders not meeting inclusion criteria
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, 28223
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Sonyia C Richardson, Ph.D.
CONTACT
M
Margaret Phipps-Bennett, M.S.W.
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
2
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