Funding Opportunities
ASPIRES funds small-scale, innovative, exploratory research to advance youth suicide prevention. Generating promising pilot data can enable researchers to apply for the funding necessary to conduct larger studies.
Practice-Based Research on Youth Suicide Prevention Pilot Program
Supported by P50 Center grant funding from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Center for Accelerating Suicide Prevention in Real-World Settings (ASPIRES) aims to accelerate the development and implementation of effective interventions to reduce suicide in children and adolescents. Jeff Bridge, PhD, director of the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research (CSPR) in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Cynthia Fontanella, PhD, a principal investigator in CSPR, lead ASPIRES and its investigators as co-directors.
The goal of the ASPIRES pilot program, Practice-Based Research on Youth Suicide Prevention, is to fund small-scale, innovative or exploratory clinical research focused on youth suicide prevention in practice settings. We encourage applications from researchers from underrepresented ethnic and racial backgrounds proposing research focused on understanding and preventing suicide.
Up to two projects will be funded each cycle. For each project, up to $50,000 in direct costs may be budgeted for a one- or two-year project. Indirect costs are allowed.
Using the RE-AIM Framework to Examine the Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) Program for Suicide Prevention
Principal Investigator: Jennifer Hughes
The Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) Program, a classroom-based mental health promotion and suicide prevention program for adolescents (ages 14-16), has been found to help prevent severe suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Widespread use of YAM in United States schools has been limited, and studies are needed to better understand how to support schools in using YAM and other evidence-based suicide prevention programs. One approach to understanding these challenges and potential solutions is the RE-AIM framework, which includes the following five factors: Reach (how many students received YAM), Efficacy (what impact did YAM have on students’ mental health), Adoption (how many schools will use YAM upon hearing about it), Implementation (how can we best deliver YAM in schools), and Maintenance (how many schools will continue to use YAM over time). The current study will explore these RE-AIM factors through qualitative interviews and focus groups with key partners (e.g., adolescents, parents, school personnel) about their view of the YAM program. The study also includes a pilot program to deliver YAM in 12 Ohio classrooms to understand adolescents’ perspectives and experience with the program. Study findings will inform future plans to deliver YAM and other evidence-based suicide prevention programs in schools.
Feasibility Testing of a Self-Compassion Intervention for LGBTQ+ Youth Suicide Prevention
Principal Investigator: Katherine Sarkisian
Unfortunately, LGBTQ+ youth often face extra sources of stress, like bullying and discrimination. Studies have shown that self-compassion may help with extra sources of stress like these. Self-compassion is being kind to ourselves, especially when we’re stressed. We will be testing whether adding a self-compassion plan to a suicide prevention safety plan can help LGBTQ+ youth cope with crisis situations and remember that they belong.
Feasibility Trial of a Single Session of Crisis Response Planning for Youth at High Risk for Suicide
Principal Investigator: Stephanie Gorka
Adolescents experience significant barriers to in-person suicide prevention treatment and prefer anonymity when disclosing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. There is untapped potential for virtual messaging services to engage high-risk youth who typically do not receive treatment but could significantly benefit. Thus, the primary goal of the proposed award is to adapt and pilot test a virtual chat-based suicide prevention intervention for high-risk adolescents.
Emotion Regulation and Suicidal Ideation among Adolescents and Young Adults at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis
Principal Investigator: Heather Wastler
Adolescents and young adults at clinical high risk for psychosis are at increased risk for suicide, though little is known about the mechanisms that contribute to this risk. The current study will address this gap by examining emotion regulation as a mechanism for suicidal ideation using a multimethod approach including clinical interviews, ecological momentary assessment, and objective measurement of autonomic activity (high-frequency heart rate variability). This work has the potential to advance the development of novel preventative interventions for this high-risk group.
Predicting Mental Health Sequelae Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Youth
Principal Investigators: Kristen Hoskinson and Ginger Yang
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and mental health are both significant public health problems disproportionately affecting youth, particularly those from disadvantaged populations whose access to care and resources are suboptimal. This pilot study aims to develop a clinically relevant prognostic tool, derived from electronic health record and Medicaid claims data, that can be used to accurately predict which youth with mTBI are at elevated risk for mental health sequelae. This tool can then be translated readily to clinical practice to facilitate the targeted delivery of early, individualized treatment to prevent mental health sequelae and reduce the risk of suicidal thoughts and suicide after mTBI.
