NIMH Clinical Pathway for Suicide Prevention in Rural Appalachian Schools
Official title: Implementing the NIMH Clinical Pathway in Rural Appalachian School-Based Health Clinics
Funded at West Virginia University · NIH-11362657 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A pilot project to adapt and test a proven suicide-risk pathway in two rural Appalachian school health centers to help mix in screening, quick assessment, and follow-up for youth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | West Virginia University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Morgantown, United States) |
| Project start | August 14, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $193,257 |
| NIH project number | 5R34MH137618-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11362657 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are youths in rural Appalachian communities who access SBHCs and are at risk for suicide or had screens indicating risk.
✕Less likely to help
Youth without school-based access or without identified risk may not experience direct benefits from this pathway implementation.
What this research studies
This project aims to implement the NIMH Clinical Pathway in two rural Appalachian school-based health centers and study how well it works in that setting. Using a mix of numbers and interviews, the team will tailor the pathway to local resources, culture, and needs, while tracking outcomes and feasibility. Results will inform a future larger trial and provide practical materials for other rural schools. The study uses a stepped-wedge design to gradually introduce the pathway and observe real-world use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the pathway could improve early detection and management of suicide risk among rural Appalachian youth and guide scalable implementation in similar communities.
How similar studies have gone: Prior urban studies showed promise for the pathway, but this is one of the first to test feasibility in rural Appalachia.
Where this research is happening
-
West Virginia University
Morgantown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Christensen, Mary — West Virginia University
- Study coordinator: Christensen, Mary
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.