WeCare: A System of Care for Black Youth

Launched by NEW YORK UNIVERSITY · Dec 8, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The WeCare trial is focused on finding effective ways to prevent suicide among Black youth, especially those who come to emergency departments feeling suicidal. This study will explore a new approach called WeCare, which includes three main parts: a screening tool that helps identify young people at risk of suicide, a short intervention that provides support and safety planning for those identified as at risk, and supportive text messages sent to both the youth and their parents for six weeks after their emergency visit. The goal is to improve how we recognize and respond to suicide risk in Black adolescents and to ensure they get the help they need.

To be eligible for this study, participants should be adolescents aged 12-19 who are experiencing suicidal thoughts and have a parent or guardian present to provide consent. They must be able to understand English and have a cellphone that can send and receive text messages. However, those who are in immediate medical danger, have severe cognitive issues, or are already receiving mental health treatment are not eligible. If you join the study, you can expect to participate in the screening process, receive support through the intervention, and get helpful follow-up messages to keep you connected to care. Your involvement will help researchers understand how to better support young people in crisis.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion criteria adolescent and parent/guardians:
• • Adolescents aged 12-17 years and their parents or guardians, and adolescents 18-19 years who have the option for their parent or guardian to participate
• • Having a parent/caregiver present in the ED to consent (12-17 year olds, only)
• • Having a cellular phone with text messaging capacity
• • Adolescent able to speak English, and understand study questions
• • Parents able to consent in English, Spanish, French or Creole
• • Meet screening criteria
• Exclusion criteria adolescent and parent/guardians:
• • Adolescent is medically unstable
• • Adolescent present with severe cognitive impairment
• • Parents are not present in the ED and available to give consent in either English, Spanish, French or Creole (12-17 year olds, only)
• • Adolescent does not have access to cellular phone
• • Adolescents active in mental health treatment (e.g., seen a therapist, social worker, or mental health provider in the last week)

Trial Officials