How people disclose suicidal thoughts and get support in rural eastern Uganda
Official title: Disclosure, Social Harm, and Support Activation Study:How Disclosure of Suicidality and Severe Emotional Distress Functions Socially in Rural Eastern Uganda
Run by Yale University · NCT07730307 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests how disclosure of suicidal thoughts or severe distress affects social support or harm, and who should be involved in future help.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 361 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Yale University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Mpunde, Buyende District) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 25, 2026 |
| Main results expected | August 2026 |
| Study ends | August 2026 |
| Registry record updated | July 28, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07730307 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are adults in rural eastern Uganda with a history of suicidal ideation, a period of severe depressive distress, or prior disclosure of suicidal thoughts.
✕Probably not a fit
Participants who are currently in acute suicidal crisis or unable to complete a 25-30 minute survey may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The study uses a cross-sectional mixed-methods design to explore disclosure pathways, social consequences, and preferences for support among adults with lived experience of suicidality in rural eastern Uganda. It will collect structured surveys from 80-100 participants and conduct 20-30 in-depth interviews to capture diverse disclosure experiences. Researchers will examine when and how support is activated, who should be contacted, and acceptable conditions for intervention, with safeguarding integrated throughout. The aim is to identify safe, person-centered approaches to activate support while minimizing harm.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could inform community strategies for safer and more effective support following disclosure of suicidal thoughts or distress.
How similar studies have gone: Similar qualitative and mixed-methods work in mental health has helped identify disclosure patterns and support preferences in various settings, though context-specific data from rural Uganda are limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Meets at least one of the following: 1. self-reports a history of suicidal ideation or attempt, 2. self-reports a period of severe depressive distress (persistent sadness, hopelessness, withdrawal lasting ≥2 weeks), or 3. has previously disclosed suicidal thoughts or severe distress to another person * Able and willing to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Currently in acute suicidal crisis with intent or plan (activate safeguarding protocol, defer enrollment to after stabilization) * Unable to engage in a 25-30 minute survey without significant distress
Where it's running
-
Empower to Heal- Uganda
Mpunde, Buyende District, Uganda Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Yang Jae Lee, MD — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Yang Jae Lee, MD
- Email: leeyjae@uw.edu
- Phone: 7066919813
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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.