Understanding factors linked to Black youth suicide and thoughts of harm
Official title: Risk and protective factors for Black youth suicide and suicidal ideation and behaviors
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11405509 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at what increases or protects Black youth from suicide and suicidal thoughts to help families and clinicians prevent these tragedies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00MH130713-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11405509 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Black youth and young adults aged 10-24, especially those in urban settings with available electronic health records.
✕Less likely to help
Youth not displaying risk factors or from populations not represented in the study may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze health records from multiple NYC health systems to find risk and protective factors for suicide and suicidal thoughts among Black youth aged 10-24. The project builds on a predictive model developed during the K99 phase to identify factors that precede SIB, aiming to inform future interventions. The work emphasizes a multi-dimensional view that includes social, environmental, and biological influences to better understand why some youths are more vulnerable. Findings could guide targeted prevention programs and resources for communities and schools. The study is conducted at Northwestern University in Chicago, led by Dr. Wenna Xi, with data from diverse urban populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to earlier identification of at-risk youth and more effective, culturally tailored prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work using large health records has identified several risk factors, but a comprehensive, multi-dimensional model for Black youth is still developing.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xi, Wenna — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Xi, Wenna
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Emotion regulation and suicidal thoughts after hospital discharge in middle-aged and older adults
This grant studies how people’s emotions after a suicide-related hospitalization relate to how strongly and how long suicidal thoughts linger, with a plan to follow 162 adults over 6 months.
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Understanding what raises or lowers suicide risk for Black young people
This project uses medical records and neighborhood information to find patterns linked to suicidal thoughts and behavior in Black young people aged 10–24.
-
Web-based suicide prevention program for Veterans
A brief online skills program aims to help Veterans reduce suicidal thoughts and lower the chance of self-directed harm.
-
Web-based intervention to prevent suicide in veterans
This study is testing an easy-to-use online program that helps veterans manage their feelings and thoughts about suicide, aiming to improve their mental health and prevent them from acting on those thoughts.
-
Understanding Invisible Suicide Risks in Youth: A National Study in Guyana
A nationwide study in Guyana aims to learn about hidden factors that contribute to suicide risk among young people so we can prevent tragedy.
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.