Understanding childhood suicide thoughts to improve risk assessment

A mixed-methods, multi-informant study of childhood suicide ideation to improve risk assessment

NIH-funded research Hunter College · NIH-11179277

This study is looking for ways to better understand and talk about suicidal thoughts in kids aged 8-12 by listening to both the children and their caregivers, using creative methods to capture their feelings and experiences, so we can help keep them safe and supported.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionHunter College NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11179277 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how to better assess suicide ideation in children by integrating reports from both children and their caregivers. It aims to develop culturally informed measures that can capture the nuances of children's distress and suicidal thoughts. The study will involve a diverse group of children aged 8-12 who have experienced suicidal thoughts or attempts, along with their caregivers, and will utilize innovative methods like body mapping to enhance understanding of their experiences. By focusing on both verbal and non-verbal expressions of distress, the research seeks to improve the prediction of suicide risk in ethnoracially diverse populations.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 8-12 who have recently experienced suicidal thoughts or attempts, along with their caregivers.

Not a fit: Patients who do not fall within the age range of 8-12 years or who have not experienced suicidal thoughts or attempts may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved risk assessment tools that better identify children at risk for suicide, ultimately saving lives.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research specifically on childhood suicide ideation using this mixed-methods approach, similar studies have shown promise in improving risk assessment in other populations.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.