Youth-Nominated Support Teams for High Risk of Psychosis

(YST Trial)

Overseen By Jason E Schiffman, PhD

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Irvine

Disqualifiers: Previous study phases, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

70 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new support program for young people at risk of psychosis who have experienced suicidal thoughts or attempts. The goal is to determine if the adapted Youth-Nominated Support Team approach is more effective than usual treatments. Participants will either engage in the new support program or continue with their current therapy. Suitable candidates include individuals aged 12-25 who have had suicidal thoughts in the past three months or attempted suicide in the past year and have been treated for psychosis risk symptoms. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative mental health support strategies for young people.

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 the Youth-Nominated Support Teams for CHR is safe for people at high risk of psychosis?

Research shows that the Youth-Nominated Support Teams (YST) approach has helped young people at risk of suicide. The new version, YST-CHR, is being adapted for those at high risk of developing psychosis, a mental health condition where individuals may lose touch with reality.

The YST method primarily focuses on providing support and has received positive feedback in the past. Specific reports of serious side effects are absent because this approach involves support and communication rather than medication. However, since YST-CHR is a new version, exact safety data is not yet available. Generally, support-based treatments like this don't pose significant physical health risks, but participants should communicate openly with their care team. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Youth-Nominated Support Teams for CHR because this approach empowers young people to select their own support networks, which is not typical in standard care for psychosis risk. While most treatments for high risk of psychosis involve medication or structured therapy sessions, this method focuses on enhancing social support tailored to the individual's needs. By involving youth-nominated support teams, the treatment aims to build a more personalized and potentially more effective support system, which could lead to better outcomes in managing early signs of psychosis. This innovative approach emphasizes the importance of community and personal connections in mental health care, which is a fresh angle compared to traditional methods.

What evidence suggests that the Youth-Nominated Support Teams for CHR could be effective for high risk of psychosis?

Research has shown that the Youth-Nominated Support Team (YST) program can help reduce deaths among teenagers. This flexible approach also shows promise for those at high risk of developing serious mental health issues like psychosis. Studies reveal that 66% of young people at high risk for psychosis have suicidal thoughts, and 18% have attempted suicide. In this trial, participants in the YST-CHR Group will receive the newly adapted YST treatment, which addresses these serious issues by creating a support team of trusted individuals around the participant. While YST primarily aims to reduce suicide risk, researchers are also studying its potential to help those at risk of psychosis. The goal is to build a supportive network that can improve mental health outcomes. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young people aged 12-25 who have thought about or attempted suicide in the past year and are at high risk for psychosis. Participants should be receiving or have received treatment for symptoms related to psychosis risk.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 12 and 25 years old.

I have thought about or attempted suicide recently.

A person who is receiving or has received treatment for psychosis risk symptoms

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Adaptation and Implementation

Adaptation of the YST intervention for CHR populations based on stakeholder input and implementation in a single CHR clinic

6 weeks

Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

Conduct a pilot randomized clinical trial at four SAMHSA funded CHR sites to test the efficacy of the adapted YST intervention

3 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

3 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Youth-Nominated Support Teams for CHR

Trial Overview The study is testing an adapted version of the Youth-Nominated Support Team (YST) approach, which was originally designed to address suicide risk but now includes support for those at clinical high risk for psychosis.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: YST-CHR Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This group will recieve the new adapted YST treatment (YST-CHR). Clinicians will administer this treatment. Neither group will be blind.

Group II: Treatment as usual Active Control 1 Intervention

This group will receive their usual therapy/treatment as usual.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Irvine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

580

Recruited

4,943,000+

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Collaborator

Trials

13

Recruited

2,400+

Citations

1. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/search/7S3Jh1Ya5USG9yxGiQ_jiA/project-details/10791775

RePORT RePORTER - National Institutes of Health (NIH) | The Youth-Nominated Support Team (YST) intervention has recently been shown to reduce mortality among adolescents and is potentially highly adaptable within the ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05558332

Study Details | NCT05558332 | Youth Nominated Support ... This study aims to adapt the current Youth-Nominated Support Team (YST) manual used to treat suicide risk for people at clinical high risk for psychosis.

3. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/296437/youth-nominated-support-team/

Youth Nominated Support Team | Clinical Research Trial ... A recent meta-analysis showed that the majority of youth at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis experience suicidal ideation, and that ...

4. ovid.com ovid.com/journals/einp/fulltext/10.1111/eip.70097~youthnominated-support-teams-for-youth-at-clinical-high-risk

Youth‐Nominated Support Teams for Youth at Clinical High Risk ... A meta‐analysis revealed that 66% of CHR individuals experience recent suicidal ideation and 18% have attempted suicide (Taylor et al. 2015 ). Despite this ...

5. clinicaltrials.icts.uci.edu clinicaltrials.icts.uci.edu/trial/NCT05558332

Youth Nominated Support Team A recent meta-analysis showed that the majority of youth at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis experience suicidal ideation, and that ...

6. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/296437/youth-nominated-support-team/?&radius=50

Youth Nominated Support Team | Clinical Research Trial ... ... risk for people at clinical high risk for psychosis. Description. Psychotic disorders are characterized by high rates of suicidal ideation ...

7. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-family-members-11-2023-fc583

Youth-Nominated Support Teams for High Risk of Psychosis This study aims to adapt the current Youth-Nominated Support Team (YST) manual used to treat suicide risk for people at clinical high risk for psychosis. Show ...

8. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41045042/?utm_source=SimplePie&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pubmed-2&utm_content=1zOrwYPa_1RS6jdZ9VLHcTFM_z0nKGv5xC17ijJBVjdDspZQ-I&fc=20220524062322&ff=20251004071025&v=2.18.0.post9+e462414

A Novel Approach to Suicide Prevention in Early Psychosis Youth-Nominated Support Teams for Youth at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis (YST-CHR): A Novel Approach to Suicide Prevention in Early Psychosis · Authors.