Understanding suicidal behavior in homeless adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic
Official title: Suicidal Behavior among Adolescents Experiencing Homelessness in the US during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Funded at Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center · NIH-10953042 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted suicidal thoughts and behaviors among homeless teenagers in the U.S., aiming to understand their unique struggles compared to those who have a home.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Torrance, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $259,773 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH137745-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10953042 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12-18 who are currently experiencing homelessness.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not adolescents or who have stable housing situations may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the patterns of suicidal behavior among adolescents experiencing homelessness in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to identify how the pandemic has affected these vulnerable individuals, particularly in terms of seasonal trends and day-of-the-week effects on suicide rates. By analyzing data on suicidal behavior, the study seeks to uncover the unique challenges faced by homeless adolescents compared to their housed peers. The research will utilize existing data sets and may involve interviews or surveys to gather insights from affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions and support systems for homeless adolescents at risk of suicide.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been research on suicidal behavior in adolescents, this specific focus on homeless adolescents during the pandemic is novel and has not been extensively studied.
Where this research is happening
-
Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Torrance, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sakai-Bizmark, Rie — Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Sakai-Bizmark, Rie
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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.