Telehealth support to prevent suicide in people with alcohol use disorder in Tanzania
Official title: Adapting a telehealth intervention for suicide prevention among patients with Alcohol Use Disorder in Tanzania
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11519492 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A telehealth counseling program is being adapted to help reduce suicide risk for people with alcohol use disorder in emergency departments in Tanzania.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $62,398 |
| NIH project number | 3R34MH136175-01A1S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11519492 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with alcohol use disorder who visit emergency departments and are at risk of suicide or who have suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without AUD or those not presenting with suicide risk may not directly benefit from this intervention.
What this research studies
This project aims to tailor a nurse-led, telehealth counseling approach to address both alcohol use and suicide risk among patients who come to emergency care in Tanzania. Building on previous work, researchers will adapt an evidence-based MI-SafeCope framework to fit local settings and resources. The study will focus on feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact on mood and safety planning, using remote counseling as a scalable solution. Results could inform broader implementation of integrated care for AUD and suicide prevention in emergency departments and similar health settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce suicide risk and improve access to mental health and substance-use support for people with AUD in Tanzania and similar contexts.
How similar studies have gone: Prior adaptation of MI-based telehealth approaches showed promise in related settings, supporting potential effectiveness in reducing suicide risk.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knettel, Brandon a — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Knettel, Brandon a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Telehealth support to prevent suicide in people with alcohol use disorder in Tanzania
A telehealth, nurse-led counseling program is being adapted to help reduce suicide risk in people with alcohol use disorder who seek emergency care in Tanzania.
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INCLUSAVE: helping young adults with IDD access suicide-prevention trainings
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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.