NCT05360888

Suicide Intervention for Alaska Native Youth

Comparative Effectiveness of Two Culturally-Centered Suicide Interventions for Alaska Native Youth

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 300 (estimated)
• Sponsor: RAND · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 14 Years – 24 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Two interventions will be delivered virtually to American Indian/Alaska Native youth who have been hospitalized with suicidal attempt, suicidal ideation, or associated risk behaviors, including alcohol-related injury.

Detailed description

The investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial whereby Alaska Native (AN) youth who are hospitalized for suicide risk will be randomly assigned to either Qungasvik/Tools for Life or Tools for Life + Motivational Interviewing Social Network (MISN) intervention after their baseline survey, and followed up at 3-, 6-, and 12 months. All youth will receive Tools for Life and two 30-minute virtual follow-up visits (at 2- and 6-weeks post intervention) focused on connectivity to culture and obtaining support from intergenerational social networks in their home communities. Half of the youth will also receive MISN in addition to Tools for Life. Both interventions will be delivered virtually by a wellness team comprised of Alaska Native community behavioral health aides, prevention specialists and/or Elders who function in their communities as natural healers.

Conditions

• Alaska Native Youth Aged 14 - 24
• Suicide, Attempted
• Suicidal Ideation
• Alcohol Intoxication

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Tools for Life	Tools for Life focuses on empowering youth to learn more about their culture and their identity.
BEHAVIORAL	Tools for Life + MISN	Tools for Life focuses on empowering youth to learn more about their culture and their identity. MISN focuses on helping youth get support from their community and social networks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-12-22
• Primary completion: 2026-03-01
• Completion: 2026-05-01
• First posted: 2022-05-04
• Last updated: 2025-06-04

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: United States