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 type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 24 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Northwestern University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 2, 2026 |
| Main results expected | May 4, 2027 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | June 25, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07365579 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
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Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jonah Meyerhoff, PhD — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Jonah Meyerhoff, PhD
- Email: jonah.meyerhoff@northwestern.edu
- Phone: 312-503-1232
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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.