Combining therapies to help adolescents with insomnia and reduce suicide risk
Official title: Combined Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia for Adolescents at High Risk for Suicide: A Pilot RCT
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-10886735 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to support teenagers who are at high risk for suicide by combining two types of therapy—one for managing suicidal thoughts and another to help with sleep problems—to see if this approach works better than just focusing on suicide alone, and it starts by getting input from teens and their therapists to make sure the treatment is helpful and engaging.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $270,200 |
| NIH project number | 5R34MH130634-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10886735 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 10 to 24 who are experiencing insomnia and are at high risk for suicide.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have insomnia or are not at risk for suicide may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new approach to help adolescents who are at high risk for suicide by combining two types of therapy: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for managing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (dCBTI) to address sleep issues. The study aims to determine if using these therapies together can lead to better outcomes than using suicide-focused treatment alone. Initially, the researchers will gather feedback from a small group of adolescents and their therapists to refine the treatment protocol, ensuring it is engaging and effective for young participants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce self-harm behaviors and suicidal thoughts in adolescents struggling with insomnia.
How similar studies have gone: While combining insomnia treatments with suicide prevention strategies is a novel approach, previous studies have shown that both DBT and dCBTI are effective individually.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berk, Michele Stacy — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Berk, Michele Stacy
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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DBT plus an online sleep program for teens at high risk of suicide
This project tests whether adding a web-based insomnia program to dialectical behavior therapy helps teens at high risk for suicide sleep better and reduce self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
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Using digital therapy to help prevent suicide risk in youth with insomnia after hospital discharge
This study is looking at how a smartphone program that helps teens with insomnia can also reduce thoughts of suicide after they've left the hospital, making it easier for them to get better sleep and feel safer.
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Cognitive behavioral therapy and trazodone for insomnia phenotypes with high blood pressure
A clinical study tests how CBT-I and the sleep drug trazodone work for adults with insomnia and high blood pressure, focusing on a specific sleep duration pattern.
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Understanding Invisible Suicide Risks in Youth: A National Study in Guyana
A nationwide study in Guyana aims to learn about hidden factors that contribute to suicide risk among young people so we can prevent tragedy.
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Mobile safety planning for at-risk young adults
A digital, text-based safety planning program for young adults (ages 18–24) to help prevent suicide and stay connected to support.
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DESCANSO: A friendly CBT plan to ease depression, sleep problems, and fatigue in Latino cancer patients
A Spanish-speaking CBT program called DESCANSO is being tested to help Latino cancer patients feel less tired, sleep better, and happier.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.