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Trials
Published in: Trials 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | Suicide | Study protocol

Suicide prevention for substance using youth experiencing homelessness: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Natasha Slesnick, Brittany Brakenhoff, Laura J. Chavez, Caleb L. Cuthbertson, Ruri Famelia, Xin Feng, Jodi Ford, Eugene Holowacz, Soren Jaderlund, Kelly Kelleher, Ellison Luthy, Allen M. Mallory, Alexis Pizzulo, Tatiana D. Slesnick, Tansel Yilmazer

Published in: Trials | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Background

While research on substance using youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) is increasing, there is a dearth of information regarding effective prevention interventions for these youth. Suicide is the leading cause of death among YEH and most youth do not access services that may be available to them. Therefore, this study seeks to address this gap in the research literature with the goal to identify an effective suicide prevention intervention that can be readily adopted by communities that serve these youth.

Methods

Three hundred (N = 300) YEH with recent substance use and suicidal ideation or a recent suicide attempt will be recruited from the streets as well as a drop-in center serving YEH. After the baseline assessment, all youth will be randomly assigned to Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CTSP) + Services as Usual (SAU) (N = 150) or to SAU alone (N = 150). SAU includes outreach, advocacy, and service linkage whereas YEH who receive CTSP will also receive ten CTSP sessions and an optional nine booster sessions. Follow-up assessments will be conducted at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-baseline. Theoretically derived mediators (e.g., cognitive distortions) will be tested to shed light on mechanisms associated with change, and the moderating effects of sex, race, sexual orientation, and baseline service connection will be examined. In order to ease future dissemination of the intervention to agencies serving YEH, we will rigorously assess acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, and cost associated with the delivery of our intervention approach using a mixed-methods approach.

Discussion

This study adds to a very small number of clinical trials seeking to prevent lethal suicide among a very high-risk group by addressing suicidal ideation directly rather than underlying conditions. It is hypothesized that youth receiving CTSP + SAU will show greater reductions in suicidal ideation (primary outcome), substance use, and depressive symptoms (secondary outcomes) over time compared to SAU alone, as well as improved risk and protective factors.

Trial registration

NCT05994612. Date of Registration: August 16, 2023.
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Metadata
Title
Suicide prevention for substance using youth experiencing homelessness: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors
Natasha Slesnick
Brittany Brakenhoff
Laura J. Chavez
Caleb L. Cuthbertson
Ruri Famelia
Xin Feng
Jodi Ford
Eugene Holowacz
Soren Jaderlund
Kelly Kelleher
Ellison Luthy
Allen M. Mallory
Alexis Pizzulo
Tatiana D. Slesnick
Tansel Yilmazer
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keywords
Suicide
Suicide
Published in
Trials / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-024-07997-y

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