Improving social connections to help prevent suicide in older adults
Official title: Promoting Social Connection to Prevent Late-Life Suicide
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-10751002 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how helping lonely seniors make friends can lower the risk of suicide, using a friendly coaching program that connects them with others and tracks their feelings over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $631,358 |
| NIH project number | 5R61MH129476-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10751002 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are lonely older adults living in senior living communities who are experiencing suicidal thoughts.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing loneliness or suicidal ideation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how enhancing social connections can reduce the risk of suicide among older adults. It employs a behavioral intervention called Social Engage Coaching (S-ENG), which includes individual coaching sessions aimed at lonely seniors living in communities. Participants will undergo assessments using smartphones to track their social interactions and feelings of connection over time. The study consists of two phases: an initial trial with 30 participants followed by a randomized controlled trial with 120 participants to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, evidence-based approach to preventing suicide in older adults by fostering social connections.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited evidence-based research specifically targeting social connection to prevent late-life suicide, similar behavioral interventions have shown promise in improving mental health outcomes in older populations.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Orden, Kimberly Allison — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Van Orden, Kimberly Allison
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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.