Bridge the Gap (BTG) — group program for Black adolescents at risk for suicide
Official title: Bridging the Gap: A Collaborative Intervention Group for Black Youth at Risk for Suicide
Run by Children's Hospital Los Angeles · NCT06880809 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests a 10-week, culturally adapted CAMS-based group program to see if it reduces suicidal thoughts and behavior and increases hope, ethnic identity, and social support for Black youth ages 12–17.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 12 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 16 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Children's Hospital Los Angeles Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Los Angeles, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | January 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | June 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | April 30, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06880809 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are Black or African descent adolescents aged 12–17 who have current suicidal ideation or ideation within the past 30 days, can assent, and have caregiver consent to participate in a 10-week group.
✕Probably not a fit
Those unlikely to receive benefit include youth without recent suicidal ideation, individuals with active psychosis or severe cognitive impairments that prevent engagement, or families who refuse caregiver participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Bridge the Gap delivers a culturally adapted group version of the Collaborative Assessment & Management of Suicidality (CAMS) over 10 weekly sessions to Black adolescents with recent suicidal ideation. Participants complete pre-treatment and post-treatment measures to examine feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary changes in suicidal ideation, suicide-related behaviors, and protective factors such as hope, ethnic identity, and family/peer support. The group is manualized and led at Children's Hospital Los Angeles with caregiver consent required for participation. This is an early-stage interventional pilot focused on feasibility and preliminary efficacy rather than definitive outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors in Black adolescents while strengthening protective factors like hope, positive ethnic identity, and family and peer support.
How similar studies have gone: CAMS has shown benefit in prior studies for reducing suicidal ideation, but culturally adapted group interventions specifically for Black youth are relatively novel with only limited preliminary evidence.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 12-17 years old * Identify as Black or African American or being of African descent * Have current suicidal ideation or suicidal ideation within the last 30 days * Have assent from the adolescent participant and consent from an individual's caregiver or guardian to participate. Exclusion Criteria: * An active psychotic disorder or current psychosis symptoms * No history of suicide attempt(s) or suicide ideation in the past 30 days * Cognitive deficits or a medical condition diagnosed from a medical provider that precludes full understanding of study materials as assessed through an inability to complete the pre-treatment CAMS SSF \& SSP * Caregivers, guardians, and/or the patient refuse to participate.
Where it's running
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Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Tia Tyndal, PhD — Children's Hospital Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Tia Tyndal, PhD
- Email: ttyndal@chla.usc.edu
- Phone: 323-361-4648
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.