Using digital therapy to help prevent suicide risk in youth with insomnia after hospital discharge
Official title: Digital Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (dCBT-I) to Reduce Suicide Risk among Youth Following Discharge from Acute Hospitalization
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-10677795 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a smartphone program that helps teens with insomnia can also reduce thoughts of suicide after they've left the hospital, making it easier for them to get better sleep and feel safer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $233,514 |
| NIH project number | 5R34MH123590-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10677795 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 18 who have recently been discharged from psychiatric hospitalization and are experiencing insomnia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have insomnia or those who are not within the age range of 12 to 18 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of digital cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (dCBT-I) in reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adolescents who have recently been discharged from acute psychiatric care. The approach involves providing accessible, smartphone-based therapy that targets insomnia, a common issue linked to increased suicide risk. By focusing on improving sleep quality through a structured digital program, the research aims to address a critical period when youth are particularly vulnerable to suicidal behaviors. Participants will engage in a series of sessions designed to alleviate insomnia symptoms and, in turn, reduce the risk of suicidal ideation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a scalable and effective intervention to significantly lower suicide risk among adolescents struggling with insomnia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that digital cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia is effective, indicating that this approach has potential for success in addressing suicide risk in youth.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kleiman, Evan — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Kleiman, Evan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
DBT plus an online sleep program for teens at high risk of suicide
This project tests whether adding a web-based insomnia program to dialectical behavior therapy helps teens at high risk for suicide sleep better and reduce self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
-
Combining therapies to help adolescents with insomnia and reduce suicide risk
This study is exploring a new way to support teenagers who are at high risk for suicide by combining two types of therapy—one for managing suicidal thoughts and another to help with sleep problems—to see if this approach works better than just focusing on suicide alone, and it starts by getting input from teens and the
-
Cognitive behavioral therapy and trazodone for insomnia phenotypes with high blood pressure
A clinical study tests how CBT-I and the sleep drug trazodone work for adults with insomnia and high blood pressure, focusing on a specific sleep duration pattern.
-
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.
-
Mobile safety planning for at-risk young adults
A digital, text-based safety planning program for young adults (ages 18–24) to help prevent suicide and stay connected to support.
-
DESCANSO: A friendly CBT plan to ease depression, sleep problems, and fatigue in Latino cancer patients
A Spanish-speaking CBT program called DESCANSO is being tested to help Latino cancer patients feel less tired, sleep better, and happier.
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.