Text-message support for parents after their teen's ER visit for suicide risk
Effectiveness of Text-based Support for Parents of Suicidal Adolescents Following Emergency Department Visits
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
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 420 (estimated) |
| Ages | 13 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Michigan Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Ann Arbor, Michigan and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06660199 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
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.
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.
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 performed: Related text-message programs for mental health have shown promise, but adaptive parent-focused texting specifically for post-ED suicide risk is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
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 this trial is running
Ann Arbor, Michigan and 1 other locations
- 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
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.