Safety Planning and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescent Suicide Prevention in Mozambique

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · Jun 17, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on finding effective ways to prevent suicide among secondary school students in Mozambique. The study will test a method called "safety planning" along with a type of therapy known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Both of these approaches aim to help young people who may be feeling suicidal by teaching them skills to cope with their feelings and stay safe. The researchers will also look at how well these methods work, their costs, and how they can be implemented in schools.

To be eligible for the trial, participants need to be students in 9th or 10th grade at a school in Sofala Province, and their school must be close to a health facility that can provide urgent and mental health care. They also need to have the permission of a parent or guardian if they are under 18 years old. The trial is specifically for students who are currently experiencing thoughts of suicide. Participants can expect to receive support through the safety planning and therapy sessions, and their progress will be monitored throughout the study. It's important to note that this trial is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to make a difference in the lives of young people facing these challenges.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Inclusion criteria for suicide risk screening:
• • 1. Youth enrolled in a secondary school in Sofala Province that is located within 30 minutes of a health facility that hosts both an urgent care and mental health department.
• • 2. Youth enrolled in 9th and/or 10th and/or 11th grade.
• • 3. Legal guardian has provided consent to participate if under 18 or if youth is age 18 or older and has provided consent to participate.
• • 4. Youth has assented to participation.
• Inclusion criteria for trial participation and allocation to study arm:
• • 1. Youth expresses active suicidal ideation on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Youth and/or guardian has not provided consent to participate, or responsible party is unable to provide informed consent.
• • 2. Youth is not enrolled in a participating secondary school.
• • 3. Youth declines to assent.
• • 4. Youth is a ward of the State or any other agency, institution, or entity.