Understanding what raises or lowers suicide risk for Black young people
Official title: Risk and protective factors for Black youth suicide and suicidal ideation and behaviors
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11194623 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses medical records and neighborhood information to find patterns linked to suicidal thoughts and behavior in Black young people aged 10–24.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00MH130713-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11194623 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Black young people aged 10–24 whose medical records are in participating New York City health systems, especially those with prior mental health visits or suicidal thoughts/behavior, are the most relevant group.
✕Less likely to help
People who live outside New York City, are not Black, or do not have records in the included health systems may not be directly represented or benefit immediately from this project.
What this research studies
From your point of view, the team will examine past medical records from several New York City health systems and combine that information with neighborhood data about social connections and location. They will focus on Black young people aged 10–24 and look at medical history, neighborhood social integration, and geographic clustering of suicide and suicidal behavior. The researchers will use a large electronic health records database to include enough cases to study these relatively rare but serious outcomes. The aim is to produce findings that can help shape culturally sensitive prevention programs and policy for Black youth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better-targeted prevention programs and policies that reduce suicidal thoughts and behavior among Black youth.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has shown geographic clustering and links between social integration and suicide, but focused, large-scale work specifically on Black youth remains limited, making this approach relatively novel.
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.
-
Targeted online suicide prevention for Veterans
A web-based, one-session intervention for Veterans to reduce thoughts of suicide and self-harm by helping them manage distress and rigid thinking.
-
Understanding factors linked to Black youth suicide and thoughts of harm
This project looks at what increases or protects Black youth from suicide and suicidal thoughts to help families and clinicians prevent these tragedies.
-
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.
-
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.