Pilot Study of a Modified Safety Planning Intervention for Elementary School-Aged Children - Main Study

Pilot Study of a Modified Safety Planning Intervention for Elementary School-Aged Children - Main Study

The goal of this study is to finalize a version of the Safety Planning Intervention suitable for 6-12-year-old children. This intervention provides individuals with strategies to reduce the risk of suicidal behavior.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Does the intervention appear clear and acceptable to the children and caregivers?
2. Does the intervention work to reduce suicidal behavior? Researchers will compare the group that received the intervention to a group that did not receive it, and to a group that received it and reported daily on its use.

Participants will:

1. Children and parents will respond to questions in an interview and through self-reports in an in-person meeting
2. Children and parents will receive the intervention (those in the intervention groups)
3. Parents will report daily for one month (only those in the intervention + reporting group)
4. Children and parents will meet with the study team through a video call at 1 and 3 months from the first meeting for an interview.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children aged 6-12
• Suicidal ideation with a plan or intent or a suicidal behavior in the last month
• The child and their caregiver are English speakers
• The child will be in an outpatient treatment at CHOP at the time of enrollment and baseline procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

• Child received a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder or intellectual disability
• Child is suffering from active mania