Digital Peer Support for Suicide

(SWEEP Trial)

Not yet recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Peter J Franz, Ph.D.

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Disqualifiers: Active mania, Active psychosis, Autism, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 2 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to assist youth in The Bronx at risk for suicide by testing a digital support program called Supporting Wellbeing with Everyday Experiences of Peers (SWEEP). The program features real stories from teens who have overcome suicidal thoughts to determine if these stories can improve others' well-being and reduce their risk. The trial is open to those who have experienced suicidal thoughts and depression in the past month and have a smartphone with internet access. However, if reading or writing in English is challenging or if certain mental health conditions are present, this trial might not be suitable. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could provide new support options for at-risk youth.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this digital intervention is safe for youth at risk for suicide?

Research has shown that digital peer support tools, like those in the Supporting Wellbeing with Everyday Experiences of Peers (SWEEP) program, are generally safe and easy to use. Studies have found that these tools often create a secure online environment, improving overall wellbeing and fostering a sense of connection.

Although specific safety data for SWEEP is not available, similar digital tools for mental health have demonstrated positive results without significant reports of harm. Many young users of these tools have felt supported and benefited from sharing experiences.

Participants can feel reassured by the supportive nature of digital peer programs, which are designed to help rather than harm. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the SWEEP treatment because it offers a fresh approach to supporting individuals at risk of suicide through digital peer support. Unlike traditional therapies that might involve medication or face-to-face counseling, SWEEP uses digital narrative therapy, allowing participants to connect with peers who share their experiences. This innovative method not only makes mental health support more accessible but also creates a community of understanding and shared experiences, which can be incredibly powerful in promoting wellbeing. By leveraging technology, SWEEP has the potential to reach people who might not otherwise seek help, providing a unique and promising avenue for intervention.

What evidence suggests that this digital intervention is effective for reducing suicide risk in youth?

Research shows that digital tools for peer support can positively affect young people at risk for suicide. In this trial, all participants will receive the Supporting Wellbeing with Everyday Experiences of Peers (SWEEP) program. This program uses culturally relevant stories shared through a smartphone app to offer these benefits. These stories help young people connect with others who have faced similar challenges. Early studies of digital programs like SWEEP suggest they can reduce feelings of isolation and provide a sense of connection and hope. While specific results for SWEEP are still being gathered, similar tools have shown promise in reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviors by sharing relatable peer experiences. This approach is especially important for communities with limited access to traditional mental health resources. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Peter J Franz, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adolescents in The Bronx, NY who have had suicidal thoughts and major depressive disorder in the past month. Participants must own a smartphone with a data plan to access the digital intervention.

Inclusion Criteria

I own a smartphone with a data plan.

I have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder in the past month.

I have had thoughts of suicide in the past month.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Preliminary Phase

Collection of suicide recovery narratives from Bronx adolescents

2 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive the SWEEP intervention, involving daily engagement with suicide recovery narratives via a smartphone app

2 weeks

Daily app engagement

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in suicidal thoughts and other psychological measures

2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Supporting Wellbeing with Everyday Experiences of Peers (SWEEP)

Trial Overview The study tests 'SWEEP', a culturally responsive digital peer support intervention using recovery narratives on an app to help at-risk youth cope with suicidal thoughts.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This is a single-arm study. All participants will be allocated to the intervention arm, in which they will receive the digital narrative therapy.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

302

Recruited

11,690,000+

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Collaborator

Trials

36

Recruited

10,500+

Yeshiva University

Collaborator

Trials

13

Recruited

2,600+

Ilumivu

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

50+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A study mapping online suicide support for young people found a variety of accessible resources, but highlighted a significant gap in services specifically tailored for young adults and students in crisis.

Qualitative feedback indicated that young people prefer clear, concise, and immediate text-based communication for seeking help, and while peer support can be valuable, it may also carry risks that need careful management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Web-based support services to help prevent suicide in young people and students: A mixed-methods, user-informed review of characteristics and effective elements. Cohen, R., Rifkin-Zybutz, R., Moran, P., et al.[2023]

Peer support specialists often mention their own experiences with suicidal thoughts briefly, using them as a way to connect, but do not dwell on these details, which may help create a safe space for participants.

The focus of conversations tends to shift from suicide to recovery and coping strategies, suggesting that peer support can effectively guide discussions towards healing rather than solely on the challenges of suicidal ideation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Characterizing suicide-related self-disclosure by peer specialists: a qualitative analysis of audio-recorded sessions. Klim, C., Vitous, CA., Keller-Cohen, D., et al.[2023]

The PREVAIL peer support intervention, designed for psychiatric inpatients at high risk for suicide, was found to be feasible and acceptable, with participants attending an average of 6.1 sessions over 12 weeks.

Qualitative feedback from participants indicated that peer specialists effectively provided support and fostered discussions about hope and safety, highlighting the potential of peer support in suicide prevention efforts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development and pilot study of a suicide prevention intervention delivered by peer support specialists. Pfeiffer, PN., King, C., Ilgen, M., et al.[2022]

Peer-delivered suicide prevention services encompass various roles, including gatekeeping and crisis support, and involve peers from similar backgrounds or shared experiences, highlighting the potential for effective community-based interventions.

Despite the promising nature of these peer support interventions, most studies lacked rigorous methodologies, with only three out of 84 being randomized controlled trials, indicating a need for more robust evaluations of their effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer-based interventions targeting suicide prevention: A scoping review. Bowersox, NW., Jagusch, J., Garlick, J., et al.[2022]

The pilot phase of the SmartCrisis 2.0 trial demonstrated that a smartphone-based safety plan for patients with recent suicidal behavior is feasible and well-accepted, with a participation rate of 77% and high satisfaction ratings (overall satisfaction score of 9.6 out of 10).

Patients found the safety plan useful (7.4/10) and easy to use (8.9/10), with common coping strategies including walking and exercise, indicating that the app could be a valuable tool in clinical practice for supporting mental health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Smartphone-based safety plan for suicidal crisis: The SmartCrisis 2.0 pilot study. Porras-Segovia, A., De Granda-Beltrán, AM., Gallardo, C., et al.[2023]

The PAUSE program, which utilized peer workers to provide ongoing support after suicide-related emergencies, showed a decrease in suicidal ideation and an increase in hope among 142 participants over a period from August 2017 to January 2020.

Participants found the program effective and acceptable, highlighting the importance of holistic support and social connectedness, although the small sample size and lack of a control group limit the broader applicability of the results.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer Intervention following Suicide-Related Emergency Department Presentation: Evaluation of the PAUSE Pilot Program. Gibson, M., Moreau, N., Balzamo, E., et al.[2023]

Training in suicide prevention significantly improves the quality of intentions and actions taken by individuals to assist someone at risk of suicide, as shown in a national survey of 3002 Australian adults.

Certain demographic groups, such as males, those with lower education levels, and non-English speakers, are less likely to have received suicide prevention training and may need targeted support to improve their ability to help others in distress.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quality of assistance provided by members of the Australian public to a person at risk of suicide: associations with training experiences and sociodemographic factors in a national survey. Jorm, AF., Nicholas, A., Pirkis, J., et al.[2020]

A telephone-based mutual peer support intervention for individuals with ongoing depressive symptoms was found to be feasible and acceptable, with 59.3% of the 54 participants completing the 12-week program.

Participants who completed the intervention showed a significant reduction in depression symptoms, with an average decrease of 4.2 points on the BDI-II scale, along with improvements in quality of life and psychological health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Telephone-based mutual peer support for depression: a pilot study. Travis, J., Roeder, K., Walters, H., et al.[2022]

An automated, self-guided Internet-based safety plan (IBSP) was developed and evaluated by 150 participants who reported suicidality, showing moderate perceived utility among users.

Participants generally believed the IBSP could be more helpful for others than for themselves, indicating a potential gap in personal recognition of its benefits, and males were less likely to complete the safety plan steps.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perceived Utility of the Internet-Based Safety Plan in a Sample of Internet Users Screening Positive for Suicidality. Spangler, DA., Muñoz, RF., Chu, J., et al.[2022]

This systematic review identified 10 studies on peer-led support groups for individuals bereaved by suicide, highlighting their potential benefits despite methodological limitations.

The review suggests a need for clearer definitions of 'peer' and more rigorous evaluations of these interventions to better understand their impact and improve future support practices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Scoping Review of Peer-Led Support for People Bereaved by Suicide. Higgins, A., Hybholt, L., Meuser, OA., et al.[2022]

A consultation exercise involving stakeholders highlighted that digital social prescribing (DSP) could enhance access and monitoring of support for individuals affected by suicide bereavement, addressing the complexities of their needs.

The exercise identified eight key challenges in providing postvention support and established a framework for testing the feasibility of DSP, indicating its potential to contribute to the evidence base for effective interventions in this area.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adapting Digital Social Prescribing for Suicide Bereavement Support: The Findings of a Consultation Exercise to Explore the Acceptability of Implementing Digital Social Prescribing within an Existing Postvention Service. Galway, K., Forbes, T., Mallon, S., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06349915

A Pilot Evaluation of a Digital Peer Support Intervention for ... This is a single-arm investigation of a novel suicide prevention intervention, called "Supporting Wellbeing with Everyday Experiences of Peers" (SWEEP). In ...

2. centerwatch.com centerwatch.com/clinical-trials/listings/NCT06349915/a-pilot-evaluation-of-a-digital-peer-support-intervention-for-suicidal-adolescents

A Pilot Evaluation of a Digital Peer Support Intervention for ... This is a single-arm investigation of a novel suicide prevention intervention, called "Supporting Wellbeing with Everyday Experiences of Peers" ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10551794/

Developing Suicide Prevention Tools in the Context of ... The aim of this study is to explore the key considerations for developing and delivering digital suicide prevention tools for young people aged 18-25 years.

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/373542973_Developing_suicide_prevention_tools_in_the_context_of_digital_peer_support_Qualitative_analysis_of_a_workshop_with_multidisciplinary_stakeholders_Preprint

(PDF) Developing suicide prevention tools in the context of ... Objective: The aim of this research is to examine young people's experiences of using a digital peer support tool: MeeToo. After the time of writing, MeeToo ...

5. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2834522

Peer Support for Suicide Prevention in Michigan: RCT This randomized clinical trial investigates whether a posthospital peer support intervention reduces suicide attempts and suicidal ideation ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11139267/

Digital mental health and peer support: Building a Theory ... Outcomes were largely positive including provision of a safe online space, improvement in wellbeing, and feeling connected to others.

7. humanfactors.jmir.org humanfactors.jmir.org/2025/1/e68221

Exploring the Impact of Digital Peer Support Services on ... This study evaluates the integration of digital peer support (DPS) into an employee assistance program (EAP), testing 3 hypotheses.

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S2368795923000203

A Digital Peer Support Platform to Translate Online ... There is accumulating evidence underscoring the importance of peers in providing remote emotional support for emerging adults that bears on their psychological ...