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RECRUITING

NCT06353711

Caring Connections Youth Suicide Detection and Intervention Study

Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

View on ClinicalTrials.gov

Summary

The goal of this pilot randomized control trial (RCT) is to test the feasibility of Caring Connections, a Culturally Adapted Linking Individuals Needing Care (CA-LINC) suicide prevention care coordination intervention for high-risk suicidal youth. This consumer-, community-, and theory-driven care coordination intervention is designed to reduce suicide ideation and behavior (SIB) by improving service engagement. Connections is a 90-day intervention that integrates engagement and follow-up strategies to assess/monitor suicide risk, facilitate service use referrals/linkages, develop/reﬁne safety plans, and create villages of care. The intervention incorporates cultural promotive factors, empowerment, and motivational strategies aimed at supporting youth, enhancing strengths, promoting hope, improving family relationships, and reinforcing caring messages. Primary research questions include: Is Caring Connections feasible to use for suicidal high-risk youth? Does Caring Connections have the potential to reduce suicide ideation and behaviors among high-risk suicidal youth? For the pilot RCT, 80 youth participants ages 13-19 who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions: Caring Connections (n=40) or Treatment as Usual (n=40). Additionally, investigators will enroll 80 caregivers of youth meeting inclusion criteria and 20 Mental Healthcare, Healthcare Providers, Community Stakeholders, and/or Care Coordinators with experience working with suicidal youth. Researchers will compare those receiving Caring Connections with treatment as usual to see if suicidal ideation and behaviors, and engagement.

Official title: CA-LINC Randomized Control Trial Study

Key Details

Gender

All

Age Range

13 Years - Any

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Enrollment

180

Start Date

2025-08-14

Completion Date

2026-10

Last Updated

2026-03-17

Healthy Volunteers

Conditions

Suicide Suicide Prevention Suicide Ideation Suicide Attempt

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Caring Connections

Participants received the Caring Connections Intervention.

BEHAVIORAL

Treatment as Usual

Participants received Treatment as Usual

Inclusion Criteria: Youth: * 13 - 19 years old * Current or recent history (\<90 days) of suicide ideation, planning, or attempts or nonsuicidal self-injurious behaviors per youth or caregiver self-report or positive screen on the Patient Health Questionnaire Adolescent (PHQ-A), C-SSRS, or Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ). * Able to fluently speak and read English * Youth with a prior history of difficulty accessing services. * Written assent to participate in the study (\<18 years old) * Written consent from a parent/legal guardian/caregiver to participate in the study (\<18 years old) * Written consent if the youth is ages 18-19 Parents/Legal Guardians/Caregivers: * The primary caregiver of a youth who meets the above inclusion criteria for the study * Over the age of 18 * Able to fluently speak and read English * Without intellectual disabilities * Provide written consent to participate Mental Healthcare and/or Healthcare Providers and/or Community Stakeholders: * Mental Health, behavioral health, substance use and/or health-related professionals who screen/assess for mental health and/or suicide risk or provide referrals, treatment, or follow-up care to youth with a prior history of difficulty accessing services in the surrounding treatment areas based on this risk or community stakeholder (i.e., faith-based leaders, agency directors, advocates, school administrators, hospital/crisis directors, topical experts, etc.). * Over the age of 18 * Able to fluently speak and read English * Without intellectual disabilities * Provide written consent to participate Care Coordinators: * Care coordinators who screen/assess for mental health and/or suicide risk or provide referrals, treatment, or follow-up care to underserved youth in the surrounding treatment areas. * Over the age of 18 * Able to fluently speak and read English * Without intellectual disabilities Exclusion Criteria: Youth: * Youth at imminent suicide risk (reported verbally and/or indicated on C-SSRS) * Youth who exhibit severe cognitive, language, or developmental delays * Youth not meeting inclusion criteria Parents/Legal Guardians/Caregivers: * Not meeting the inclusion criteria listed above. Mental Healthcare and/or Healthcare Providers and/or Community Stakeholders: * Not meeting the inclusion criteria listed above.

Locations (1)

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States