Caring Contacts Via Text Message for Suicidal Adolescents After Emergency Department Discharge

Launched by ANN & ROBERT H LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO · Jun 20, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is testing whether sending brief, caring text messages to teenagers who have had suicidal thoughts or behaviors can help support them after they leave the emergency room. These messages are meant to be hopeful and encouraging. The study wants to find out if teens find these messages helpful and acceptable, and whether receiving these messages along with their usual treatment affects their thoughts and behaviors over time compared to just getting the usual care.

To join the study, teens need to be between 12 and 17 years old, have recently visited the emergency room because of suicidal thoughts or behaviors, speak English, and have a cell phone that can get text messages. Participants will be asked to answer some surveys when they join and again at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months later. Some will receive the supportive text messages, while others will continue with their usual care only. A few teens who get the messages may also be invited to talk about their experience in an interview. This study is not yet recruiting, but it aims to better understand how simple caring messages might help young people during a difficult time.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 12 to \<18 years of age
• • Present to the emergency department with suicidal thoughts or behaviors as indicated by the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ)
• • Have a cell phone that can receive text messages
• • Proficient in English
• • Anticipated disposition of discharge from the emergency department
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • In care of the Department of Children and Family Services
• • Unable to participate meaningfully in assent, assessments, or the intervention, as determined by the treating clinician, including any of the following: acute or chronic cognitive impairment, acute psychosis, current severe agitation, current alcohol or drug intoxication