Suicide-Risk Screening for Young Children

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Washington University School of Medicine

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

12 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new tool designed to identify suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young children aged 4-7. The goal is to determine if this caregiver-report screener functions effectively in clinical settings and to gather feedback for improvement. By identifying at-risk children early, the trial aims to enable timely mental health care and improve outcomes. The trial seeks licensed mental health clinicians who care for young children in specific programs and are currently seeing or accepting new patients. Participants will either receive additional information about childhood suicidal thoughts and behaviors (SITB information) or not, to evaluate the tool's effectiveness. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research that could significantly enhance early mental health interventions for children.

What prior data suggests that this screening tool is safe for young children?

Research has shown that asking children and preteens about suicidal thoughts and behaviors does not increase these thoughts or actions. In fact, screening can be beneficial. One study with kids aged 12 and older found that discussing suicide did not lead to more self-harm or suicidal behavior. This suggests that discussing these topics is generally safe and can help identify kids who need support.

This trial does not test a medication but focuses on sharing information, so the risks are very low. It primarily involves providing caregivers with information about self-harming thoughts and behaviors, serving as a tool to identify at-risk children early. Since the treatment involves providing information, there are no known physical side effects. Instead, it aims to help children who might be struggling receive support sooner. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores a new approach to screening for suicide risk in young children by providing additional information about self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs). Unlike traditional methods that might focus solely on psychological evaluations or interviews, this trial investigates whether simply sharing more information with children and caregivers can help identify those at risk. This approach could lead to earlier and more effective interventions, potentially reducing the incidence of SITBs in this vulnerable age group. By understanding the impact of information dissemination, researchers hope to enhance existing preventative strategies and improve outcomes for young children.

What evidence suggests that this screener is effective for identifying suicide risk in young children?

Research has shown that young children can experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors, but these are often missed due to the difficulty in assessing this age group. In this trial, one group of participants will receive additional information about childhood suicidal thoughts and behaviors (SITBs), while another group will not. A new tool, which involves caregivers reporting their observations, has shown promise in identifying children under 8 who might be at risk. This tool is reliable because it aligns well with established methods. By spotting at-risk children earlier, it can help provide timely support and improve their mental health. Early intervention is crucial, as studies indicate that suicide poses a significant risk for young people, underscoring the need for effective tools like this one. ^{2 5 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for caregivers of children aged 4-7 who are attending a behavioral health center. The study aims to identify suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) in young children using a caregiver-report screener.

Inclusion Criteria

Licensed mental health clinician (e.g., LPC, LMSW, LCSW, MD) in the Hermann Center

I care for children aged 4-7.

Provides care through the Early Child Intervention, Early Psychiatric Care, or Trauma Response program

Exclusion Criteria

Not applicable.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Implementation of a caregiver-report suicide-risk screener in a behavioral health center

3-4 months

Regular visits for screener implementation and feedback collection

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for feedback and effectiveness of the screener

3-4 months

Follow-up interviews with clinicians and caregivers

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• SITB information

Trial Overview

The trial is testing the use of a new caregiver-report tool designed to screen for suicide risk in young children. It will assess how well the tool works in real-world clinical settings, with feedback from both clinicians and caregivers.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: information group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

receives additional information about childhood SITBs

Group II: no information group Active Control 1 Intervention

does not receive additional information about childhood SITBs

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Washington University School of Medicine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,027

Recruited

2,353,000+

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)

Collaborator

Trials

394

Recruited

404,000+

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9296501/

Efficacy of interventions for suicide and self-injury in ...

We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing treatment effects on SITBs in child and adolescent populations.

2.

cdc.gov

cdc.gov/yrbs/results/2023-yrbs-results.html

2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results

There are some important firsts in the 2023 national YRBS data. These include findings about social media, unfair discipline at school, ...

3.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949732925000328

Preliminary Validity for a Brief Caregiver-Report Screener ...

The caregiver-STBs screener for children under age 8 demonstrates favorable psychometric properties compared with a reference standard.

4.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04171089

NCT04171089 | Suicide Prevention in Prepubertal Children

Suicidal ideation and behaviors are estimated to be as high as 4-16% and 1.5% (respectively) in the general 6-12-year-old population.

5.

publications.aap.org

publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/153/1/e2023064800/196189/Suicide-and-Suicide-Risk-in-Adolescents

Suicide and Suicide Risk in Adolescents | Pediatrics

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10- to 24-year-olds in the United States and is a global public health issue.

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4774896/

Self-injurious thoughts and behaviors as risk factors for ...

A history of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) is consistently cited as one of the strongest predictors of future suicidal behavior.

7.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890856725001789

Asking Preadolescents About Suicide Is Not Associated ...

The limited available evidence suggests that suicide-risk screening does not increase STBs in youth aged 12 years or older and may even lead to ...

8.

childrenshospitals.org

childrenshospitals.org/news/childrens-hospitals-today/2025/08/preventing-youth-suicide-with-evidence-based-care

Preventing Youth Suicide With Evidence-Based Care

The hospital found one of the highest rates of suicide attempts ever reported in adolescents, with more than 75% of teens reporting at least one ...