SuicideSP-BSCNCT07125144
Piloting a Culturally Adapted Suicide Prevention for Black Students in Chicago
A study testing Black Youth Suicide Prevention in Chicago and Signs of Suicide: Standard/Existing in people with Suicide and Suicidal Ideation, run by University of Chicago at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Suicide has been the third leading cause of death for Black youth in the U.S since the 1980s and persists as a leading cause of death for Black youth today. For example, in 2018 suicide was reported as the 2nd leading cause of death among Black Americans ages 10 to14 years old. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 11 to 15 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Suicide, Suicidal Ideation, Suicide Attempt
- What is being tested?
- Black Youth Suicide Prevention in Chicago and Signs of Suicide: Standard/Existing
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 300 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 30 Jan 2025to 31 Jul 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 11 to 15 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Enrolled in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade at a participating school
Who cannot join
- Not enrolled in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade at a participating school
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, 60637
About this study
Official title: Piloting a Culturally Adapted Multilevel Suicide Prevention Intervention in Schools for Black Youth and Their Families
Suicide has been the third leading cause of death for Black youth in the U.S since the 1980s and persists as a leading cause of death for Black youth today. For example, in 2018 suicide was reported as the 2nd leading cause of death among Black Americans ages 10 to14 years old. Findings yielded from recent queries indicate that the gap in suicides among Black males and female youth has narrowed in recent years. Despite these disturbing trends, a dearth persists in our understanding of the factors that contribute to and prevent against suicide in Black youth, thus diminishing researchers' ability to effectively detect suicide risk in this particular population. This project aims to redress this gap by proposing the cultural adaptation of an existing suicide prevention intervention, the Signs of Suicide (SOS) prevention program, for Black middle school students. Our team will conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial among a sample of Black middle school students to assess feasibility and
examine underlying mechanisms that contribute to suicidality among Black youth. Intervention content will be adapted to assess how topics of racial identity, racial socialization, and racial discrimination uniquely impact Black youth's mental health experiences and risk for suicide. Measures of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempt will be assessed at pre-test, post-test, and 3-months after the intervention. Findings derived from this project will contribute to public health priorities by offering unique insight into the factors that either prevent or promote suicide among Black youth and could be replicated in other schools serving Black students across the nation.
- Conditions
- Suicide, Suicidal Ideation, Suicide Attempt
- Being tested
- Black Youth Suicide Prevention in Chicago, Signs of Suicide: Standard/Existing
- Keywords
- Black, youth, suicide, suicide prevention, intervention, Signs of Suicide, Cultural Adaptation, Chicago, African American, Adolescent
- Medical subject headings
- Suicide, Suicidal Ideation, Suicide, Attempted, Suicide Prevention
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Black Youth Suicide Prevention in ChicagoBehavioural
The Culturally Adapted intervention uses intervention video content that specifically addresses topics that shape Black youth's psychological wellbeing and development. The goal of this intervention is to share suicide prevention information in ways that are culturally responsive and attentive to the specific needs of Black adolescents.
Signs of Suicide: Standard/ExistingBehavioural
Students attending schools assigned to the Standard/Existing Intervention condition will receive the Signs of Suicide curriculum.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Standard/Existing Intervention | Active comparator | Students attending schools assigned to the Standard/Existing Intervention condition will receive the existing Signs of Suicide intervention. Receives: Behavioral: Signs of Suicide: Standard/Existing |
| Culturally Adapted Intervention | Experimental | Students attending schools assigned to the Culturally Adapted Intervention condition will receive a new culturally adapted intervention developed for this study. Receives: Behavioral: Black Youth Suicide Prevention in Chicago |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Suicidal Ideation
Item that asks students to report if they have seriously considered suicide
Measured: Baseline, 2 weeks after baseline, 3-months after baseline
Secondary outcomes (3)
Suicide Attempt
Item that asks students to report if they have attempted suicide.
Measured: Baseline, 2 weeks after baseline, 3-months after baseline
Knowledge of Depression and Suicide
This scale includes items that assess students' knowledge of depression and suicide risk and warning signs. This is the title of the scale, as used and reported in earlier suicide prevention interventions (Aseltine \& DeMartino, 2004; Schilling et al., 2016). Responses are collected using a list of true/false options. The total number of "true" statements represents more accurate knowledge of depression and suicide risk warning signs.
Measured: Baseline, 2 weeks after baseline, 3-months after baseline
Attitudes Towards Depression and Suicide
This scale includes Items that assess students' attitudes towards depression and suicide. This is the title of the scale, as used and reported in earlier suicide prevention interventions (Aseltine \& DeMartino, 2004; Schilling et al., 2016). The measure includes a 5-point Likert scale with responses ranging from 1 = "Strongly Disagree" to 5 = "Strongly Agree." Higher scores on this scale represent more adaptive attitudes towards depression and suicide risk.
Measured: Baseline, 2 weeks after baseline, 3-months after baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Aug 2025
- Study start30 Jan 2025
- Primary completion31 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Jul 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for SuicideStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of ChicagoThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 300 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Chicago
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Janelle Goodwill, University of Chicago
- Investigators
- Janelle R. Goodwill, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Chicago
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07125144
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- R34MH129789
- Other IDs
- R34MH129789
- Acronym
- SP-BSC
- Status last verified
- Aug 2025
- First submitted
- 4 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 15 Aug 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Specific data describing participants grade level and scores on primary outcome measures will be made available, per NIMH Data Archive guidelines.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Aug 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Piloting a Culturally Adapted Multilevel Suicide Prevention Intervention in Schools for Black Youth and Their Families
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07125144
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SP-BSC / R34MH129789
- Conditions
- Suicide, Suicidal Ideation, Suicide Attempt
- Keywords
- Black, youth, suicide, suicide prevention, intervention, Signs of Suicide, Cultural Adaptation, Chicago
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 300 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of ChicagoUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Study start
- 30 Jan 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 15 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Suicide has been the third leading cause of death for Black youth in the U.S since the 1980s and persists as a leading cause of death for Black youth today. For example, in 2018 suicide was reported as the 2nd leading cause of death among Black Americans ages 10 to14 years old. Findings yielded from recent queries indicate that the gap in suicides among Black males and female youth has narrowed in recent years. Despite these disturbing trends, a dearth persists in our understanding of the factors that contribute to and prevent against suicide in Black youth, thus diminishing researchers' ability to effectively detect suicide risk in this particular population. This project aims to redress this gap by proposing the cultural adaptation of an existing suicide prevention intervention, the Signs of Suicide (SOS) prevention program, for Black middle school students. Our team will conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial among a sample of Black middle school students to assess feasibility and
examine underlying mechanisms that contribute to suicidality among Black youth. Intervention content will be adapted to assess how topics of racial identity, racial socialization, and racial discrimination uniquely impact Black youth's mental health experiences and risk for suicide. Measures of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempt will be assessed at pre-test, post-test, and 3-months after the intervention. Findings derived from this project will contribute to public health priorities by offering unique insight into the factors that either prevent or promote suicide among Black youth and could be replicated in other schools serving Black students across the nation.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Standard/Existing Intervention | Active comparator | Behavioral: Signs of Suicide: Standard/ExistingStudents attending schools assigned to the Standard/Existing Intervention condition will receive the existing Signs of Suicide intervention. |
| Culturally Adapted Intervention | Experimental | Behavioral: Black Youth Suicide Prevention in ChicagoStudents attending schools assigned to the Culturally Adapted Intervention condition will receive a new culturally adapted intervention developed for this study. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 11 to 15 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Enrolled in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade at a participating school
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Not enrolled in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade at a participating school
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Black Youth Suicide Prevention in ChicagoThe Culturally Adapted intervention uses intervention video content that specifically addresses topics that shape Black youth's psychological wellbeing and development. The goal of this intervention is to share suicide prevention information in ways that are culturally responsive and attentive to the specific needs of Black adolescents. | Behavioural | Culturally Adapted Intervention |
| Signs of Suicide: Standard/ExistingStudents attending schools assigned to the Standard/Existing Intervention condition will receive the Signs of Suicide curriculum. | Behavioural | Standard/Existing Intervention |
Primary outcome
Suicidal Ideation
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks after baseline, 3-months after baseline
Item that asks students to report if they have seriously considered suicide
3 secondary outcomes
Suicide Attempt
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks after baseline, 3-months after baseline
Knowledge of Depression and Suicide
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks after baseline, 3-months after baseline
Attitudes Towards Depression and Suicide
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks after baseline, 3-months after baseline
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Aug 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Specific data describing participants grade level and scores on primary outcome measures will be made available, per NIMH Data Archive guidelines.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Janelle R. Goodwill, PhD principal investigator
University of Chicago
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Black Youth Suicide Prevention in Chicago and Signs of Suicide: Standard/Existing in people with Suicide and Suicidal Ideation, run by University of Chicago at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Aug 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Janelle R Goodwill, PhD (773-834-5114, jgoodwill@uchicago.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Suicidal Ideation (time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks after baseline, 3-months after baseline). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Aug 2025.