Smartphone-based suicide risk monitoring for young adults
Augmented Momentary Personal Ecological Risk Evaluation
This project will test a smartphone app that tracks mood, behavior, and passive phone data to see if it is acceptable and usable for young adults aged 16–30 who are experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 16 Years to 30 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Washington Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Seattle, Washington) |
| Trial ID | NCT06704958 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will use human-centered design to co-develop an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) smartphone prototype with young adults and their outpatient providers. The app will collect brief self-report prompts and passive phone sensor data and will be used by participants for two months. Participants complete online surveys at enrollment, one month, and two months to measure acceptability and usability. The goal is to determine whether the EMA prototype can be integrated into primary care workflows to help monitor and manage suicide risk in typical outpatient settings.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are English-speaking young adults aged 16–30 receiving care at University of Washington Primary Care who have active suicidal ideation or recent suicide attempt and who have access to a smartphone and can consent to participate.
Not a fit: People older than 30, non-English speakers, those without smartphone access, or individuals with medical/psychiatric severity or life situations that prevent safe voluntary participation are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the tool could help clinicians detect rising suicide risk earlier and support timely, personalized management for young adults.
How similar studies have performed: Prior EMA research for suicide risk has shown promise in signal detection, but acceptability among at-risk young adults and practical integration into outpatient care remain largely untested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Young adults (age 16-30 years) * Receiving care at University of Washington Primary Care for suicidal ideation as determined by Electronic Health Record problem list or PHQ-9 suicide risk item \>0 in previous year and/or recent (past year) history of suicide attempt and/or active suicidal ideation. * Ability to consent to participate Exclusion Criteria: * Age \<16 or \>30, * Non-English speaking * No smart phone access * Any clinical medical/psychiatric condition, severity of that condition, or life situation that would compromise safe and voluntary study participation.
Where this trial is running
Seattle, Washington
- University of Washington — Seattle, Washington, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ian M Bennett, MD, PhD — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Mindy Vredevoogd, MS
- Email: mindyv@uw.edu
- Phone: 206-465-0099
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.