Actively Recruiting
Development and Testing of imHere4U: A Digital Suicide Prevention Intervention for Cyberbullied Adolescents
Led by University of Pittsburgh · Updated on 2026-04-07
80
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
13 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Pittsburgh
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to evaluate the feasibility and initial effectiveness of Flourish, a digital suicide prevention program designed for adolescents aged 12 to 17 who have experienced cyberbullying and are at risk for suicide. The study will compare the Flourish program combined with questionnaires to questionnaires alone in a randomized controlled trial involving 80 youth, including underserved populations. The study also explores the use of machine learning to provide feedback on online interactions to support participants. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: one receiving the Flourish chatbot plus questionnaires, and the other receiving questionnaires alone. Flourish is a self-paced text messaging program lasting four weeks, aiming to help youth cope with cyberbullying and reduce suicidal thoughts. Youth in the Flourish group will also have access to a resource website and may opt to provide social media data to receive feedback using machine learning. The control group will receive only brief questionnaires about their online experiences via text messages every three days for four weeks. Participants will complete four assessment visits over 24 weeks, starting at baseline and followed by visits at 4, 12, and 24 weeks. These assessments will evaluate mood, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and social media use. Researchers will track recruitment and retention rates, engagement with the Flourish program, and changes in psychological distress and suicidal ideation. The study includes safety monitoring and provides crisis resources when needed. Total participation spans roughly six months, including follow-up visits.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Development and Testing of imHere4U: A Digital Suicide Prevention Intervention for Cyberbullied Adolescents
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- English-speaking
- Access to a phone or device capable of text messaging
- History of cyberbullying or online discrimination in the past 3 months
- History of suicidal risk in the past 3 months, including psychological distress or suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Age between 12 and 17 years
You will not qualify if you...
- Intellectual challenges, low literacy, or other conditions affecting ability to use Flourish
- Need for higher level of care such as inpatient hospitalization or emergency services referral due to acuity levels
AI-Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or remote) for eligibility assessment
Duration - Single session prior to the 4-week intervention
Participants and their caregivers participate in a session to onboard to the text messaging program, including orientation and personalization.
1 onboarding visit (in-person or remote) lasting approximately 30 minutes
Duration - 4 weeks
Participants engage with either the Flourish chatbot program designed to improve coping and reduce suicide risk or receive brief questionnaires about online experiences alone. This period lasts 4 weeks.
Participants in the Flourish group are expected to interact approximately 2 to 3 times per week; participants in the control group receive brief questionnaires every 3 days
Duration - 24 weeks following onboarding
Participants complete assessments about mood, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and social media use at multiple time points following onboarding.
4 visits at baseline, Week 4, Week 12, and Week 24 (in-person or remote)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
C
Candice L Biernesser, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
2
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