Improving suicide prevention in pediatric primary care settings
Official title: Adapting a brief suicide intervention for pediatric primary care: Enhancing uptake and impact
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11063118 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way for doctors who care for kids and teens to help identify and support young people who might be having thoughts of suicide, making it easier for them to get the help they need without always having to go to the emergency room.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $184,603 |
| NIH project number | 5K23MH134229-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11063118 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 10 to 24 who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not adolescents or those who do not have access to pediatric primary care services may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on adapting a brief intervention for suicide prevention specifically for pediatric primary care settings. It aims to enhance the comfort and capability of primary care providers in screening for suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adolescents. By implementing a user-centered design approach, the project seeks to create a more effective and accessible intervention that can be integrated into routine pediatric care. The goal is to reduce unnecessary referrals to emergency departments and improve mental health support for youth at risk of suicide.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of adolescent suicides by improving early intervention and support in primary care settings.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in implementing similar interventions in primary care settings, indicating a promising approach to addressing adolescent suicide prevention.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Danzo, Sarah — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Danzo, Sarah
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Confidential teen suicide prevention in primary care across 30 clinics
A nationwide health system is testing a confidential, teen-friendly suicide prevention approach in 30 primary care clinics to help prevent teen suicidality.
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Teens’ confidential suicide prevention in primary care
A nationwide program in 30 primary care clinics tests whether confidential teen suicide prevention tools in routine visits reduce suicidal outcomes and improve care.
-
Preventing teen suicide through confidential care in primary care clinics
This study is looking at how well private care can help prevent suicide in teens by making it easier for them to talk about their feelings and get the support they need during doctor visits.
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Improving Suicide Prevention in Primary Care
This project explores how new computer tools can help primary care doctors better identify and support individuals at risk of suicide.
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Primary care loneliness programs to prevent suicide
This project will try two short loneliness programs—social prescribing and brief cognitive therapy—in primary care to help adults who feel lonely and may have suicidal thoughts.
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Improving suicide prevention methods for children in primary care settings
This study is working on new ways for doctors who care for kids to help prevent suicide by using tools like a website for screening, a smartphone app for safety plans, and text reminders, all aimed at supporting young people who are struggling with their mental health during regular check-ups.
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.