Pilot test to expand how we identify suicide risk and connect youth on probation to mental health care
Official title: Pilot-test of an expanded approach to optimize suicide risk identification, family engagement and behavioral health treatment linkage for youth on probation
Funded at New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC · NIH-11355329 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new project tests a family-focused approach to better detect suicide risk in youth on probation and help them start and stay in behavioral health treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $414,186 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH144361-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11355329 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adolescents on probation who have or are at risk for behavioral health problems and their families.
✕Less likely to help
Youth without behavioral health needs or those not engaged with probation systems may see little or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project builds on an existing system (e-Connect) to add a strong family-level strategy, aiming to identify at-risk youth more reliably and link them to care quickly. It will be tested in three New York counties with a team that has extensive experience in suicide risk, juvenile justice, and implementation science. The study uses data from administrative sources and real-world clinical settings to refine how screening, engagement, and treatment initiation happen in probation populations. The goal is to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors by improving identification and access to services in a practical, scalable way.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, youth on probation could receive timely mental health support and have a lower risk of suicide attempts and related harm.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows multi-level, system-focused approaches can improve service linkage, though this exact family-linked model is being piloted.
Where this research is happening
-
New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Elkington, Katherine S — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Elkington, Katherine S
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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.