Bay Village

Researchers are evaluating Flourish, a digital intervention designed to prevent suicide among middle and high school students who are experiencing cyberbullying and related suicide risk factors. The study aims to see if Flourish can be effectively and feasibly delivered within schools by measuring recruitment and retention rates and improvements in psychological distress and suicidal thoughts over a 3-month period. Additionally, the study seeks to understand the challenges and supports for adopting Flourish in school settings through feedback from school personnel. The intervention involves a 4-week program delivered primarily through an automated text messaging system and a website, which provides resources and support to improve coping skills related to cyberbullying. Before starting Flourish, participants complete a personalized onboarding survey and meet with a health coach who helps set goals and verifies crisis contacts. The coach reconnects with students at the programs midpoint and endpoint to discuss progress and address any barriers. Schools refer eligible students and help motivate their engagement, while also receiving reports on student participation. Participants complete four assessment visits at baseline and 2, 4, and 12 weeks after starting Flourish. These visits include questionnaires and clinical interviews covering mood, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and social media experiences. Researchers track recruitment and retention rates, intervention usage, and changes in psychological distress and suicidal ideation over time. At the studys end, school staff provide feedback on the programs implementation. The full study participation duration for each student is approximately 12 weeks.