Helping at-risk sexual and gender minority youth through peer support and system improvements
Official title: Youth Empowerment and Safety Intervention for Systems-involved Sexual and Gender Minority Youth at Risk of Suicide
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-11036909 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help young people from LGBTQ+ communities who are in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems by testing a new program that offers better support and care, aiming to make them feel safer and improve their mental health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | December 5, 2024 |
| Project end | March 21, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $279,366 |
| NIH project number | 1R34MH134912-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11036909 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are sexual and gender minority youth aged 0-21 who are involved with child welfare or juvenile justice systems and are at risk of suicide.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved with child welfare or juvenile justice systems or who do not identify as sexual or gender minorities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the safety and mental health of sexual and gender minority youth who are involved with child welfare and juvenile justice systems and are at risk of suicide. It aims to implement a program called Youth Empowerment & Safety (YES), which includes better identification and referral processes for at-risk youth and the introduction of peer support specialists who can provide affirming care. The study will evaluate how feasible and acceptable these interventions are, as well as their initial impact on the youth involved. By addressing the unique needs of this vulnerable population, the research seeks to create a supportive environment that can help reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of suicide among sexual and gender minority youth involved in public systems.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that peer support interventions can be effective in improving mental health outcomes for at-risk youth, suggesting a promising approach for this population.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prince, Dana M — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Prince, Dana M
Related research
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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.