Safety Planning Intervention for Suicidal Thoughts

This trial explores a new Safety Planning Intervention designed to help children aged 6-12 who have recently experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviors. The researchers aim to determine if this intervention is clear and acceptable for both children and their caregivers, and if it effectively reduces suicidal behavior. Participants will be compared across different groups: those who receive the intervention, those who also report daily on their use of it, and those who do not receive it. Children in outpatient care at CHOP who have experienced suicidal thoughts or plans in the last month might be suitable candidates. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research that could shape future interventions for children in need.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the study team or your doctor.

Research has shown that the Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) for children is generally well-received. Studies have found that this approach helps reduce suicidal thoughts and actions. It involves creating a personalized plan with steps to manage these thoughts, such as recognizing warning signs and finding coping strategies.

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores a new approach to handling suicidal thoughts in children, focusing on personalized safety planning. Unlike traditional methods that might rely on medications or therapy alone, the Child-Safety Planning Intervention (C-SPI) empowers children by helping them create a concrete, step-by-step plan to manage their thoughts and reach out for help when needed. The trial also explores the use of ecological momentary assessment, which involves daily reporting to provide real-time insights into a child's mental state, offering a proactive way to monitor and potentially prevent crises. This combination of personalized planning and real-time assessment could provide a more dynamic and responsive way to support children facing these challenges.

Research has shown that Safety Planning Interventions (SPIs) can help reduce suicidal thoughts and actions in children. In this trial, participants may receive the Child-Safety Planning Intervention (C-SPI) alongside treatment as usual (TAU), or C-SPI with TAU and ecological momentary assessment. A detailed review found that SPIs create personalized plans to help at-risk children manage their emotions. Another study discovered that while these plans might not greatly change suicidal thoughts, they can lower the chances of suicide attempts. Evidence also suggests that SPIs can help children engage more with other treatments, offering them a support network. Overall, SPIs seem promising as part of a larger approach to prevent suicide in young people.¹²³⁴⁶