Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 24

Text messaging safety plan for young adults with suicidal thoughts

Official title: mHealth for Suicide Prevention: Design, Development, and Feasibility of a Scalable SMS-based Safety Planning Intervention

Run by Northwestern University · NCT07365579 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A text-message safety planning program is being tested to see if it’s doable and acceptable for young adults with recent suicidal thoughts.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 24 Years
SexAll
Enrollment60 (estimated)
SponsorNorthwestern University
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Chicago, Illinois)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJune 2, 2026
Main results expectedMay 4, 2027
Study endsJune 30, 2027
Registry record updatedJune 25, 2026
Trial IDNCT07365579 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Young adults aged 18–24 in the U.S. who have recent suicidal ideation, own a smartphone, and can read English.

Probably not a fit

Individuals with imminent suicidality, serious mental illness requiring different care, or non-English readers may not benefit from this specific intervention.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This feasibility study tests an automated text messaging intervention that helps 18-24 year olds create and use a personalized safety plan during crises. Participants are randomized to start the interactive safety-plan texts immediately or after an initial four-week period of non-interactive crisis-resource messages. The goal is to determine feasibility, acceptability, usability, and engagement for a larger future trial over about 24 weeks. Sixty participants across the U.S. are enrolled and complete surveys at baseline and multiple time points.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could provide a scalable, low-burden way to support safety planning for young adults at risk of suicide.

How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in digital safety planning and crisis resources suggest feasibility and acceptability of text-based supports, but this exact automated safety-planning SMS approach is being tested here.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Ages 18 to 24 \*The age to provide consent in Nebraska is 19. Individuals recruited from the state of Nebraska must be 19 or older.
2. endorsement of past 2-week suicidal ideation
3. Resident of the United States
4. Owns a smartphone

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Serious mental illness for which intervention would be contraindicated (i.e., active psychosis or mania)
2. Imminent suicidality (i.e., experiencing active suicidal ideation with a plan and intent to act)
3. Written English language skills that are insufficient to engage in the consent, design, evaluation, or intervention procedures.

Where it's running

  • Northwestern University
    Chicago, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.