Text-message support for parents after their teen's ER visit for suicide risk
Official title: Effectiveness of Text-based Support for Parents of Suicidal Adolescents Following Emergency Department Visits
Run by University of Michigan · NCT06660199 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program tests whether sending adaptive text messages to parents can help adolescents (ages 13–17) who come to the emergency room with recent suicidal thoughts or attempts.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 13 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 420 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Michigan Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Ann Arbor, Michigan and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | July 2028 |
| Study ends | July 2028 |
| Registry record updated | December 15, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06660199 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are adolescents aged 13–17 who present to the ED with last-week suicidal ideation or a last-month suicide attempt and have a caregiver who owns a cell phone.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who are medically unstable, have severe cognitive impairment or agitation, lack a legal guardian during the ED visit, or whose parent does not own a cell phone are excluded and may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Researchers will enroll 420 adolescents aged 13–17 who present to two emergency departments in Michigan for recent suicidal ideation or a recent suicide attempt, along with their caregivers. Parents will receive an adaptive text-message intervention designed to provide guidance, safety planning reminders, and support after the ED visit. The study will track adolescent risk-related outcomes, engagement with follow-up care, and measures of family support. Data will be collected from follow-up assessments and medical records to determine whether the text-based approach changes post-ED outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could give parents timely guidance and support that reduces adolescents' post-ED suicide risk and improves follow-up care.
How similar studies have gone: Related text-message programs for mental health have shown promise, but adaptive parent-focused texting specifically for post-ED suicide risk is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adolescent (13-17 years old) who present to Emergency Department (ED) due to (1) last-week suicidal ideation and/or (2) last-month suicide attempt, and their caregiver. Exclusion Criteria: Adolescents who are: * medically unstable * presenting with severe cognitive impairment, altered mental status, severe aggression/agitation * presenting without a legal guardian * whose parent does not own a cell phone
Where it's running
-
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States Recruiting -
Hurley Medical Center
Flint, Michigan, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ewa Czyz, Ph.D. — University of Michigan
- Study coordinator: Ewa Czyz, Ph.D.
- Email: ewac@umich.edu
- Phone: 734-764-9466
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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.