Comparing Safety Planning and Interpersonal Psychotherapy to Prevent Suicide in Youth Ages 12 to 24 Across Diverse Urban Emergency Care Settings

What this Trial Is About

This research focuses on suicidal youth aged 12 to 24 in diverse urban areas across the United States. It compares two brief, evidence-based interventions designed to prevent suicidal crises the Stanley Brown Safety Planning Intervention with Follow-up Contacts SPI, and Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents Ultra Short Crisis Intervention IPT-A SCI. The study aims to determine which intervention is more effective and acceptable for youth at risk of suicide presenting in emergency department settings, informing future standards of care. Participants receive one of two interventions. SPI is delivered in the emergency department and includes creating a personalized safety plan with follow-up contacts after discharge to check mood, review the plan, and connect with community mental health services. IPT-A SCI is a five-session outpatient psychotherapeutic treatment focusing on teaching skills to prevent suicidal crises and addressing interpersonal problems contributing to suicide risk. Both approaches are scalable and target crisis prevention differently. During the study, participants will be assessed at baseline and followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months. Evaluations include measures of suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior, mental health service use, quality of life, anxiety, depression, family and peer relationships, and skill use related to each intervention. The study tracks the number of suicides over 12 months and uses validated tools such as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale. Participants will be monitored throughout the 12-month follow-up period to evaluate outcomes and safety.

Preventing Suicidal Behavior With Diverse High-Risk Youth in Acute Care Settings