Expert Q&A: Evaluating New Tools to Address Youth Suicide in Primary Care
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Q: As one of the team members leading the main research study evaluating suicide interventions in primary care, can you talk about how the Center is unique in its approach to the topic of youth suicide risk?
A: The ETUDES Center aims to develop technology-based tools for pediatricians to help teens struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts. We are developing several different types of technologies, including smartphone apps, text messaging systems and clinician decision-support tools for the electronic health record. The goal is for pediatricians and families to have tools that work together to improve all parts of the care process: identifying teens at risk of depression or suicide, helping families understand treatment options and preferences, keeping teens safe at home and helping families engage in mental health care. We’ll conduct this research in partnership with young people, parents, clinicians, and health care leaders, seeking their input throughout the process, to help ensure that the interventions work well for the people they are intended to help.
The ETUDES Center will include a number of related research studies. In the signature study, the research team will use existing data from clinical care at CHOP to test and refine an algorithm for identifying young people at risk of suicide. We will also conduct a randomized controlled trial of the iCHART intervention, which includes a computer-based assessment of specific mental health risks and treatment preferences, a safety planning smartphone app, and a text-messaging intervention to encourage teens to utilize the safety planning app and engage in treatment. As described by my colleagues below, the Center will also develop several new interventions to address suicide risk factors. In addition to these research studies, the Center aims to train and support the next generation of suicide researchers so this important work can continue.
Q: Why is online victimization and other aspects of social media important to study in the context of youth suicide?
A: Online victimization, or cyberbullying, includes disparaging remarks, symbols, images or behaviors intended to inflict harm that occur in online spaces. Online victimization peaks in adolescence and commonly occurs on social media platforms. Although online victimization often co-occurs with in-person victimization, social media can facilitate more frequent and harsher victimization. Further, online victimization does not impact all youth equally. For example, Black and sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth experience disproportionately high rates of online victimization. Over half of Black youth have experienced victimization online involving discrimination or exclusion on the basis of race and SGM youth experience online victimization at three times the rate of non-SGM youth.