Exploring how social factors affect suicide risk in Black sexual and gender minority youth
Official title: Understanding the Role of Structural Oppression for Suicide Risk among Black Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents and Young Adults
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11091603 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how things like racism and stigma affect the risk of suicide among Black LGBTQ+ teens and young adults, and it’s for people aged 16 to 24 who want to share their experiences through online surveys over three years to help improve support and resources for their community.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 17, 2024 |
| Project end | March 20, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $582,847 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MD018679-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11091603 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Black sexual and gender minority adolescents and young adults aged 16 to 24.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Black or as part of the sexual and gender minority community may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the suicide risk among Black sexual and gender minority adolescents and young adults by examining the impact of structural oppression, such as racism and stigma. It aims to identify the socio-structural drivers that contribute to these inequities, moving beyond individual risk factors like mood disorders. The study will enroll a national cohort of 1,000 participants aged 16 to 24, who will complete annual web-based surveys over three years to assess suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The findings will inform public health policy interventions aimed at reducing suicide risk in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted interventions that significantly reduce suicide risk among Black sexual and gender minority youth.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has highlighted the importance of addressing structural factors in mental health, suggesting that this approach could yield meaningful insights and interventions.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: English, Devin — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: English, Devin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Reducing firearm suicide among Veterans with peer-delivered counseling
A VA-funded project tests whether peer-delivered counseling helps Veterans store firearms more securely and reduces suicide risk.
-
How School Cellphone Rules Might Affect Youth Suicide and Violence
A study will look at whether restricting students’ use of cellphones at school influences rates of suicidal thoughts and interpersonal violence among youth.
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INCLUSAVE: helping young adults with IDD access suicide-prevention trainings
A new NIH grant studies whether two proven gatekeeper trainings (ASIST and safeTALK) can be delivered in inclusive settings to support young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their communities.
-
A universal school program to help middle schoolers stay emotionally regulated and safer
A school-based program teaches students calming skills to reduce violence and thoughts of self-harm, tested in a randomized trial with middle schoolers.
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.