A Text-Based Expressive Writing Program for Adolescents at Risk of Suicide (NCT07479823) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
A Text-Based Expressive Writing Program for Adolescents at Risk of Suicide
160 participantsStarted 2026-04-01
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a structured expressive writing program can help reduce suicidal thoughts in adolescents and young adults who have experienced suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, or self-harm. The study will include participants aged 13 to 24 years who are receiving mental health care or have recently been identified as being at risk for suicide.
The main questions the study aims to answer are:
* Does a structured expressive writing program lower suicidal thoughts compared with usual care alone?
* Does the program improve depression, impulsivity, and self-esteem?
Researchers will compare participants who receive the expressive writing program together with treatment as usual to participants who receive treatment as usual alone.
Participants will:
* Be randomly assigned to one of two groups: a writing program group or a usual care group
* Complete questionnaires about mood, suicidal thoughts, and well-being at the start of the study, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks
* If assigned to the writing program group, complete guided writing activities several times per week for 4 weeks. Each writing session will take about 15 to 20 minutes and will focus on understanding emotions, personal experiences, relationships, and meaning in difficult experiences.
Researchers will study whether this writing program is a helpful and practical way to support young people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress.
Who can participate
Age range
13 Years – 24 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adolescents or young adults aged 13 to 24 years.
* Individuals with a history of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, or non-suicidal self-injury.
* Individuals currently receiving mental health services or who have been evaluated as having suicide risk within the past 6 months.
* Ability to read and write in Korean.
* For participants under 19 years of age, both participant assent and parental consent are required.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Individuals requiring immediate psychiatric hospitalization.
* Severe intellectual disability or neurodevelopmental disorder that prevents participation in writing activities.
* Acute psychosis or manic episode that would interfere with participation in the study.
* Participation in another suicide prevention clinical trial during the study period.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.