A brief therapy to reduce suicidal thoughts in youth

Evaluation of a Brief, Scalable Module to Mitigate Suicidal Ideation Among Youth

Not applicable Interventional Florida International University · NCT06586645

This study is testing a new short therapy for young people aged 12 to 17 with anxiety or depression to see if it can help reduce their thoughts of suicide by making them feel less like a burden.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages12 Years to 17 Years
SexAll
SponsorFlorida International University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Miami, Florida)
Trial IDNCT06586645 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This project tests a brief therapy module aimed at reducing suicidal ideation among youths aged 12 to 17 who experience anxiety or depression. The study involves a randomized controlled trial comparing a standard safety planning intervention with an additional 'Give to Others' module designed to address feelings of burdensomeness. Participants will be recruited from clinical and community settings and will be assessed for changes in their perceptions of burdensomeness after the intervention. The goal is to provide evidence for a scalable therapeutic approach that can be easily implemented by mental health providers.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 12 to 17 who exhibit suicidal ideation and feelings of being a burden to others.

Not a fit: Patients with cognitive impairments, imminent risk of self-harm, or currently receiving psychosocial treatment may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could significantly reduce suicidal thoughts and improve mental health outcomes for adolescents.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using brief interventions to address suicidal ideation, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria

Adolescents must:

* be between ages 12 and 17 years
* score at or above 4 on the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire- Burdensomeness Scale
* have a positive screen for suicide risk (i.e., endorsement of suicidal ideation via self-report or parent-report).

Exclusion Criteria

For adolescents to be excluded, they must:

* have cognitive impairment or developmental delay which does not allow for the completion of basic study procedures (i.e., reading and filling out questionnaires; talking to a clinician)
* show imminent risk or a history of hurting themselves or others requiring intensive and restrictive services
* be involved currently in a psychosocial treatment

Where this trial is running

Miami, Florida

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Suicidal Ideation
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.