Understanding suicide risk in adolescent girls during their menstrual cycle
Official title: Adolescent Girls’ Risk for Suicide Across the Menstrual Cycle: Examining Stress and Negative Valence Systems Longitudinally
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11018611 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different stages of the menstrual cycle might influence suicidal thoughts and feelings in teenage girls, so we can better understand when they might be at greater risk and help support their mental health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2020 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $599,937 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH122446-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11018611 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescent girls aged 12 to 20 who may experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not within the adolescent age range or who do not experience any mental health issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the menstrual cycle affects the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescent girls. By examining stress responses and hormonal changes throughout different phases of the menstrual cycle, the study aims to identify specific times when girls may be at higher risk for these thoughts and behaviors. Participants will report their experiences and symptoms, allowing researchers to analyze the relationship between hormonal fluctuations, stress, and mental health outcomes. The goal is to better understand the underlying factors contributing to increased suicide risk in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies and interventions for adolescent girls at risk of suicide.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that hormonal changes can influence mental health, but this specific focus on adolescent girls' menstrual cycles and suicide risk is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Girdler, Susan S. — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Girdler, Susan S.
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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.