How social conditions and COVID-19 affected suicide risk in young people
Official title: Impacts of Social Determinants of Health and COVID-19 Pandemic Factors on Suicide Risk among Youth
Funded at Appalachian State University · NIH-11140962 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how things like housing, school, healthcare access, and pandemic stress relate to suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and teens.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Appalachian State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boone, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $137,842 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM149432-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11140962 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and adolescents, especially those living in Appalachian or other high-COVID-burden areas or those with a history of suicidal thoughts or behaviors or pandemic-related stressors, are the primary population this work focuses on.
✕Less likely to help
Adults and people without ties to youth populations or those seeking immediate crisis care are unlikely to directly benefit from this research in the short term.
What this research studies
This project looks at how suicide risk among children and teens changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers will combine real-time crisis response records with information about social determinants of health — such as housing, education, income, and access to care — to track risk patterns over time. They will examine whether trends differ by age, race/ethnicity, and place, including Appalachian communities and areas with high COVID burden. Statistical models will test whether social and pandemic-related factors increase or buffer suicide risk and whether they explain differences between groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help target prevention and support to the young people and communities most at risk during and after public health crises.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have shown rising suicidal behaviors among youth during the pandemic and links with social disadvantage, but using real-time crisis data within a social determinants framework is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Appalachian State University
Boone, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thompson, Martie P — Appalachian State University
- Study coordinator: Thompson, Martie P
Related research
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Understanding how social factors and the COVID-19 pandemic affect youth suicide risk
This study looks at how things like money and school can affect the risk of suicide among young people, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, to help us understand the mental health challenges they are facing right now.
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Understanding how COVID-19 affects children's mental health and suicide risks
This study is looking at how COVID-19 has affected kids' mental health over time, especially regarding thoughts of suicide, and it aims to find out which children might be at greater risk and what social factors are making things harder for them, so we can help support their well-being better.
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Structural factors linking minimum wage, COVID-19, and community violence
A long-term study will explore whether higher minimum wages and pandemic-related economic factors are connected to changes in violence in US communities.
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.