Technology-assisted suicide prevention for youth in Colombian schools
Official title: Harnessing culturally-appropriate, technology-assisted methods to advance suicide prevention among youth in Colombian school settings
Funded at Brown University · NIH-11417341 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A youth-focused, culturally tailored program uses digital tools and teacher training to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adolescents in schools.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $3,748 |
| NIH project number | 5R34MH136232-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417341 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adolescents and school staff in participating schools, with emphasis on youth showing risk factors for suicidality.
✕Less likely to help
Youth without access to or interesse in school-based mental health resources may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project brings a digital platform for students and teachers into secondary schools to support mental health and early intervention. It includes self-help tools, a customizable safety plan, and links to online counseling, plus teacher-facing resources for risk screening and referrals. A hybrid teacher training diploma aims to enhance teachers’ ability to recognize warning signs and connect students with appropriate care, all within a stepped-wedge pilot in schools. The study is designed to test how these digital and training components work together in real-world school settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce youth suicide risk and improve access to mental health support in schools.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier school-based digital interventions have shown promise, but this project combines student tools with teacher training in a unique, multi-level approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Desrosiers, Alethea — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Desrosiers, Alethea
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Technology-assisted suicide prevention for youth in Colombian school settings
A youth-focused program will test a culturally tailored digital platform and teacher training to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors in schools.
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Nurse- and Peer-Led Suicide Prevention for Women in Tajikistan
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Targeted online suicide prevention for Veterans
A web-based, one-session intervention for Veterans to reduce thoughts of suicide and self-harm by helping them manage distress and rigid thinking.
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.