Mobile safety planning for at-risk young adults
Official title: mHealth for suicide prevention: Design, development, and feasibility of a scalable SMS-based safety planning intervention
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11606617 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A digital, text-based safety planning program for young adults (ages 18–24) to help prevent suicide and stay connected to support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $53,997 |
| NIH project number | 3K08MH128640-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11606617 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Young adults ages 18–24 who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or at risk for suicide and are open to digital, text-based self-management strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who do not use mobile texting or who require in-person care only may not benefit from this intervention.
What this research studies
This project aims to create and test a scalable SMS-based safety plan that people can use on their own schedule. It focuses on young adults who are at higher risk for suicidal thoughts but may not seek traditional mental health care, offering private, on-demand help. The team will use user-centered design to shape the messages and workflow, and will pilot the feasibility of delivering the intervention in real-world settings. If successful, the approach could lead to a broader digital tool that complements existing support options and helps reduce crisis risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could provide an accessible, private way for young adults to manage suicidal thoughts and connect with support before a crisis occurs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous digital mental health tools have shown promise, but scalable SMS-based safety planning for this age group remains an emerging area.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meyerhoff, Jonah — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Meyerhoff, Jonah
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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.