Caring Contacts Text Messages for Suicide Prevention

Overseen By Jennifer A. Hoffmann, MD, MS

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Disqualifiers: Cognitive impairment, Psychosis, Agitation, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 12 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether supportive text messages can assist adolescents who have recently experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviors. The goal is to determine if these messages, called Caring Contacts, are beneficial when sent after an emergency room visit. Some participants will receive these texts in addition to their usual care, while others will receive only the usual care. The trial seeks teens who have experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviors and have a cell phone to receive texts. Participants will provide feedback through surveys and interviews to help researchers understand the messages' impact. As an unphased trial, this study offers teens a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative mental health support strategies.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems likely that you can continue your usual treatment, as the study involves receiving text messages alongside your regular care.

What prior data suggests that Caring Contacts text messages are safe for adolescents with suicidal thoughts or behaviors?

Research has shown that Caring Contacts, which are short, positive, and supportive text messages, effectively lower the risk of suicide. Previous studies found that these messages can reduce suicidal thoughts and attempts. Recipients found them acceptable and helpful.

No reports of serious negative effects have emerged from this approach. Caring Contacts have been successfully used with military members and veterans, indicating they are generally safe and well-tolerated. This suggests they are likely safe for similar groups, such as teenagers. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Caring Contacts for suicide prevention because it introduces a new method of support through text messaging. Unlike traditional treatments that involve in-person therapy sessions or medication, Caring Contacts offers brief, hopeful, and supportive messages directly to a person's phone. This approach provides ongoing, accessible encouragement without requiring a hospital visit, making it a potentially effective and convenient addition to standard care practices like risk assessments and safety planning.

What evidence suggests that Caring Contacts is effective for suicide prevention?

Research has shown that Caring Contacts, short supportive text messages, can help reduce thoughts of suicide and attempts. In this trial, participants in the Caring Contacts arm will receive these messages alongside Treatment as Usual. Studies have found that these messages lower emotional distress and decrease the risk of suicide for recipients. They have proven particularly effective in preventing suicide deaths and reducing hospital visits for mental health emergencies. This approach involves sending messages that offer hope and support, and it has been helpful in various settings, including hospitals. Overall, Caring Contacts are a promising tool for preventing suicide. ^{2 3 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jennifer A. Hoffmann, MD, MS

Principal Investigator

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adolescents who have had suicidal thoughts or behaviors and are being discharged from the emergency department. It's not clear what specific inclusion or exclusion criteria are, but typically participants would need to be able to receive and read text messages.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 12 and 17 years old.

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

Exclusion Criteria

In care of the Department of Children and Family Services

I am mentally and physically able to participate in the study.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive Caring Contacts (brief, hopeful, supportive text messages) after discharge from the emergency department

12 months

Text messages sent periodically

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in suicidal thoughts and behaviors through surveys

12 months

Surveys at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Caring Contacts

Trial Overview The study is testing if 'Caring Contacts'—brief, hopeful, supportive text messages sent after discharge—can help suicidal adolescents. The effect of these texts will be compared with usual treatment over time through surveys and interviews.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Caring Contacts Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

In addition to Treatment as Usual, participants will receive Caring Contacts, consisting of brief, hopeful, supportive text messages.

Group II: Treatment as Usual Active Control 1 Intervention

Treatment as usual consists of a suicide risk assessment during the emergency department visit, determination of disposition, safety planning, provision of crisis resources, and coordination of follow-up mental health services if indicated.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Lead Sponsor

Trials

275

Recruited

5,182,000+

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10395650/

Caring Texts, a strength-based, suicide prevention trial in 5 ... While Caring Contacts has been shown to be effective in preventing suicide mortality, hospitalizations, attempts and ideation in individual studies, a recent ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10304492/

Comparative effectiveness of two versions of a caring ... Caring Contacts can effectively reduce suicide ideation, attempts, and death. In published clinical trials, Caring Contacts were sent by someone who knew ...

3. researchprotocols.org researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e72140

Exploring the Impact of the Caring Contacts Intervention on ... If effective, our findings will demonstrate that Caring Contacts is beneficial for reducing multiple forms of psychological distress and suicide ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1551714425000333

Comparative effectiveness of two-way caring contacts texts ... Comparative effectiveness of two-way caring contacts texts vs one-way caring contacts texts vs enhanced usual care to reduce suicidal behavior in adolescents ...

5. msrc.fsu.edu msrc.fsu.edu/funded-research/reviewing-effects-caring-contacts-recon-long-term-follow-study-military-continuity-project/

Reviewing the Effects of Caring Contacts (RECON) This study evaluates long-term outcomes of a clinical trial of Caring Contacts via text message through the addition of administrative datasets to evaluate ...

6. suny.edu suny.edu/mental-health/resources/

Find Mental Health Resources Near You Services Offered. Individual counseling; Group counseling; Wellness programming; Consultation; Crisis intervention; Educational programs (classes, dorms) ...

7. pediatrics.jmir.org pediatrics.jmir.org/2024/1/e51570/

Development and Implementation of Postdischarge Text ... Phase 2 included piloting caring contacts manually in the hospital's Psychiatric Crisis Department and Inpatient Psychiatry Unit and assessing ...