Follow-up support for youths at risk of suicide after emergency department visits
The Impact of Routine Follow-up Contacts After a Pediatric ED Visit for Youth With Suicide Risk: a Randomized Controlled Trial
This study is testing a follow-up program to help caregivers of young people at risk of suicide get the mental health support they need after an emergency room visit.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 400 (estimated) |
| Ages | 8 Years to 21 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Johns Hopkins University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Baltimore, Maryland) |
| Trial ID | NCT06616701 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a social work-led follow-up program designed to assist caregivers of youths at risk for suicide in accessing mental health resources after an emergency department visit. The study will formalize a mental health follow-up protocol, assess the optimal timing for follow-up calls, and measure the proportion of patients who connect with community mental health care within a month of their visit. Additionally, it will track repeat emergency department visits within 3 and 6 months to gauge the program's impact on ongoing care. The initiative is particularly focused on addressing the high-risk period following discharge from the emergency department.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are youths aged 8 to 21 years who present to the emergency department with assessed suicide risk and are discharged with a mental health referral.
Not a fit: Patients who are directly transferred to inpatient psychiatric units or bypass the emergency department will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly improve access to mental health resources for youths at risk of suicide, potentially reducing repeat emergency department visits.
How similar studies have performed: While there are no published studies specifically evaluating patient navigators in pediatric emergency departments for this purpose, similar interventions in other health contexts have shown success in improving patient outcomes.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients ages 8 to 21 years old; * Who present to the emergency department (ED) and are assessed with suicide risk; * Who are discharged from the Johns Hopkins Hospital (Pediatric inpatient psychiatric unit, Pediatric Day Hospital, or Pediatric ED) with a mental health referral Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who were directly transferred to the inpatient psychiatry unit or the Day Hospital from an outside hospital, bypassing the hospital's ED * Direct admissions, bypassing the hospital's ED
Where this trial is running
Baltimore, Maryland
- Johns Hopkins Hospital — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Hanae Fujii-Rios, MD MPH — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Hanae Fujii-Rios, MD MPH
- Email: hfujii@jhmi.edu
- Phone: 410-955-6146
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.