Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Youth Suicide Prevention: CAMS-BI vs. Safety Planning in a Randomized Trial

United States118 participantsStarted 2026-08-01

Plain-language summary

This study outlines a randomized controlled trial evaluating two brief suicide-specific interventions for adolescents aged 12-17 who are hospitalized for suicidal ideation or attempts. Suicide remains a leading cause of death among youth, and many adolescents are discharged from inpatient care without targeted, suicide-focused treatment, contributing to high rates of readmission and ongoing risk. This study seeks to address that gap by comparing the effectiveness of the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality-Brief Intervention (CAMS-BI) with the Stanley-Brown Safety Planning Intervention (SPI), both delivered as single-session interventions during inpatient hospitalization. Participants (N=118) will be randomly assigned to receive either CAMS-BI or SPI. CAMS-BI is a therapeutic, collaborative framework that focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying psychological drivers of suicidality, while SPI is a structured, practical approach that emphasizes immediate safety through coping strategies, support systems, and means restriction. Following the intervention, participants will be monitored for 90 days post-discharge, with follow-ups at 30, 60, and 90 days. The primary outcome is the rate of psychiatric readmissions and suicide-related emergency department visits within 90 days of discharge. Secondary outcomes include changes in suicidal ideation, measured by the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation, and caregiver confidence in managing their child's safety. Additional measures include distress levels, hopelessness, treatment satisfaction, and engagement. The study hypothesizes that CAMS-BI will result in lower readmission rates, greater reductions in suicidal ideation, and improved caregiver confidence compared to SPI. Both interventions produce individualized safety or stabilization plans that are shared with patients and caregivers and incorporated into discharge planning to support continuity of care. Safety protocols are emphasized throughout the study, given the high-risk population. Participants receive standard clinical care, crisis resources, and close monitoring, with procedures in place to address any escalation in suicide risk. Data will be collected using secure systems, and confidentiality will be maintained through de-identification and controlled access. Overall, this study aims to determine whether a rapid, inpatient, suicide-focused intervention can improve short-term outcomes for high-risk youth and reduce the likelihood of rehospitalization, ultimately informing scalable approaches to suicide prevention in clinical settings.

Who can participate

Age range

12 Years – 17 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 aged 12-17 years. * Admitted to inpatient psychiatry for suicide attempt or active suicidal ideation. * English-speaking patient and parent/guardian. * Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed assent document with a parent/guardian willing and able to sign a written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Moderate or severe intellectual disability (IQ less than 70 and those patients in special education classes full time). * Schizophrenia or history of any type of psychosis including mood related psychosis and brief reactive psychosis. * In custody of Children's Services.

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.

1This trial compares two approaches — CAMS-Brief Intervention and Safety Planning — for reducing repeat psychiatric hospitalizations after a suicide-related crisis; can you explain how each of these actually works in practice, and which one might be a better fit for my child's specific situation?
2Since this trial is listed as 'not yet recruiting,' how long might it realistically be before enrollment opens, and what options — including standard care — should we be pursuing in the meantime?
3The trial is focused on preventing readmissions to inpatient psychiatry for suicide risk; given where my child is right now, do you think that's the right goal to be measuring, or are there other outcomes like day-to-day functioning or depression symptoms that should be prioritized in their care?
4Because this is listed as Phase NA — meaning it may be comparing existing clinical approaches rather than testing a new drug — can you help me understand what the real-world differences in safety and burden might be between these two interventions for a young person?
5If my child were enrolled and randomized to one approach over the other, what happens if that approach doesn't seem to be working — is there a plan to switch to something else, or would we need to leave the trial to pursue a different treatment?

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.

What they're measuring

Reduction of inpatient psychiatry readmissions for suicide risk following CAMS-Brief Intervention VS Stanley-Brown Planning Intervention

Timeframe: 90 days following discharge

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07628192

SponsorThe Cleveland Clinic

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-01-01

Contact for this trial

Christina A Deisz, LISW-S

(440) 225-6193 deiszc@ccf.org

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Suicidal Ideation trials