Understanding Suicidal Behavior in Homeless Teens 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-11159831 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic affected suicidal thoughts and actions in young people experiencing homelessness.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $193,568 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MH137745-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11159831 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This project focuses on understanding past trends in suicidal behavior among adolescents who experienced homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not experiencing homelessness or those outside the adolescent age range may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Suicide is a serious concern for teenagers, and those experiencing homelessness face even higher risks. We know that factors like the school calendar and time of year can influence suicidal behavior, but there's a gap in understanding how these patterns changed for homeless youth during the pandemic. This work will look at how the challenges of the pandemic, such as economic hardship and isolation, might have uniquely impacted this vulnerable group. By examining existing data, we hope to uncover important insights into their experiences.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help us better understand the unique challenges faced by homeless adolescents and inform future support programs to prevent suicide.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have identified seasonal and daily patterns in adolescent suicidal behavior, but this project is novel in its specific focus on homeless youth during the pandemic.
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.