Evaluating Primary Suicide Prevention in Adolescents With Risk Factors (ESPAIR)

Stephanie Baggio

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Suicide Prevention

Treatments: Behavioral: Primary suicide prevention intervention; Behavioral: Art-based control intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06551038

2024-01208

Details and patient eligibility

About

Suicide is one of the main causes of death among teenagers. Because it is preventable, primary prevention of suicide has become a public health priority, with encouraging results in promoting suicide awareness and reducing suicidal thoughts among adolescents. However, the lack of studies conducted among vulnerable populations (i.e., marginalised, disengaged and disadvantaged) is a major gap, even though these populations present an increased risk of suicidal behaviour.

The aim of this project is to test the effectiveness of a brief primary suicide prevention intervention for vulnerable adolescents, using a randomised controlled trial. Vulnerable adolescents include those 1) detained in juvenile detention centres, 2) at risk of dropping out of school, 3) undergoing treatment for psychiatric disorders, 4) belonging to a sexual or gender diversity, 5) affected by chronic conditions, or 6) with relational/familial problems. The main aim is to test the effectiveness of the intervention on a composite measure of suicide awareness, psychological distress and suicidal thoughts. The project will also explore other issues that present challenges for vulnerable populations: access to primary suicide prevention and non-response bias. The study will provide relevant results to address the current lack of high-quality evidence for primary suicide prevention in adolescents.

Enrollment: 240 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 14 to 25 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Vulnerable adolescents defined as being: 1) detained in juvenile detention centers, 2) disconnected from school, 3) in treatment for psychiatric disorders, 4) belonging to a sexual or gender minority, 5) affected by chronic conditions, or 6) with relational/familial problems.
• Age 14 to 25 years old.
• Good knowledge of French.
• Accepting to sign the informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• The medical/educational staff considers that the intervention will interfere with appropriate management of acute psychiatric disorder or may cause harm to self or other.
• Being enrolled in another suicide prevention intervention during the study period.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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240 participants in 2 patient groups

Primary suicide prevention intervention

Experimental group

Description:

The framework of the primary suicide prevention intervention is psychoeducation. The intervention lasts for 90 minutes and is conducted in groups of 5 to 15 (on average 10) participants. It provides general information on suicidal behaviors, information about facts and myths about suicide, identification of risk factors and warning signs of suicidal behaviors, and information on ways to seek for help and get support for themselves and others in the canton. The intervention includes a lecture, group discussions based on case examples, and a quiz on facts and myths about suicide. It is conducted by a trained staff member with the support of a psychologist trained in suicide prevention for children and adolescents. It follows a standardized format.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Primary suicide prevention intervention

Art-based control intervention

Active Comparator group

Description:

The control intervention will be an art-based activity, a workshop on slam poetry. At the end of the study, participants will get a flyer containing information on suicide prevention with the participants of the control group. Therefore, they will have a low-threshold intervention.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Art-based control intervention