Technology‑supported safety planning to reduce suicide risk in rural teens seen in emergency rooms
Development and Implementation of Safety Planning to Reduce Suicidality in Adolescents Seeking Care in Rural Emergency Departments
This project will create and use tech‑helped safety plans to help 12–17 year olds from rural areas who come to emergency rooms with suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hanover, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11379605 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I am a teen in a rural area who goes to an emergency room with suicidal thoughts or after an attempt, the team will talk with me, my caregivers, clinicians, and community members to learn what matters for safety planning. They will run focus groups and interviews to shape a safety‑planning tool that uses technology to address both home safety (like limiting access to lethal means) and getting connected to local mental health care. The tool and plans will be implemented in participating rural EDs and adjusted based on feedback from youth and families. The goal is to make safety plans that fit rural realities and help link teens to follow‑up supports.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are 12–17 year olds who live in rural communities and present to a participating emergency department with suicidal thoughts or after a suicide attempt, along with their caregivers.
Not a fit: Children under 12, adults, teens who live in urban areas or who do not visit a participating rural ED, or teens without access to the required technology may not be eligible or benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give rural teens personalized safety plans and stronger connections to local mental health care to lower suicide risk.
How similar studies have performed: Safety planning is supported by national organizations and has shown benefit in emergency settings, but using technology and tailoring it specifically for rural youth is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Hanover, United States
- Dartmouth College — Hanover, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leyenaar, Joanna — Dartmouth College
- Study coordinator: Leyenaar, Joanna
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 below.