STAT-ED: Suicidal Teens Accessing Treatment After an Emergency Department Visit

The STAT-ED study is a two site study conducted by Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Nationwide Children's Hospital that is looking to test the effectiveness of a brief treatment engagement intervention termed Suicidal Teens Accessing Treatment After an ED Visit (STAT-ED) for adolescents seeking treatment in the ED for non-psychiatric concerns but identified via systematic screening as being at risk for suicide. In this study, investigators from both institutions will recruit and randomize 160 adolescents (80 per site) to either(a) the STAT-ED intervention or (b) enhanced usual care group (EUC). The EUC group consist of a brief consultation by an ED social worker and a mental health referral for the participant facilitated by the Psychiatric Intake Response Center. The STAT-ED intervention targets family engagement, problem solving, motivational interviewing, assistance with referral and limited case management during the transition from the ED to outpatient care with the goal of maximizing the initiation of mental health treatment and aftercare among youth screening positive for previously unrecognized suicide risk. A study trained research coordinator who is blinded to the participants treatment allocation will contact the participants via telephone at two months and six months post ED visit in order to ascertain initiation and attendance of the mental health follow-up, as well as an assessment of suicidal ideation and depression.