St. Luke’s co-leading new $16 million study on suicide prevention in youth

St. Luke’s Health System, in collaboration with The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and other partners, will co-lead a groundbreaking study aimed at reducing adolescent suicide through school-based prevention programs. The study will be supported by an approximately $16 million funding award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among U.S. adolescents. In Idaho, the teen suicide rate is 3.5 times higher than the national average. The Building Resilience in Teens through Education (BRITE) Trial addresses this urgent public health challenge head-on. The comparative effectiveness research (CER) study co-led by St. Luke’s Health System and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, in partnership with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Washington, will compare two evidence-based programs, SOS Signs of Suicide (SOS) and Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM)—and a combined approach (SOS+YAM) across 80 schools in Idaho, Ohio, Washington, and North Carolina.

 “Comparing two programs that we already know are very safe and effective means that youth in our communities will benefit right away, while we learn more about which one works best to reduce suicide risk in different groups,” said Anna Radin, DrPH, MPH, applied research scientist at St. Luke’s Health System and co-principal investigator for the BRITE Trial. “We are committed to partnering closely with parents, students, and schools, at all phases of this project so that their input can meaningfully shape how the study is designed and conducted, and what we do next with the results.”

Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, the five-year study will enroll more than 7,000 students in grades 8–10 to determine which intervention most effectively reduces suicidal behaviors. Twenty Idaho schools will participate, including those in Boise, Caldwell, Elmore, and Twin Falls school districts. The BRITE Trial is designed to provide high-quality evidence for schools, policymakers, and funders, while also examining differences by grade level and rural versus urban settings.

SOS Signs of Suicide is a universal suicide prevention program delivered in classrooms using video vignettes and guided discussions to teach students about depression and the warning signs of suicide and how to respond appropriately. Students learn a simple but powerful approach when concerned for a friend called ACT — Acknowledge the problem, show that you Care, and Tell a trusted adult.

“SOS gives students the language and confidence to speak up when they or a friend are in crisis,” said John Ackerman, PhD, Suicide Prevention Clinical Manager at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and co-investigator on the BRITE Trial.

The Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) program takes a broader approach to mental health promotion and suicide prevention through five interactive sessions over three weeks. Students explore topics such as stress, crisis, depression, and suicidal thoughts, and they practice real-life scenarios through role play. “YAM helps normalize conversations about mental health and equips teens with practical tools to support each other, manage challenges, and seek help,” said Jennifer Hughes, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor and clinical psychologist in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and co-principal investigator on the BRITE Trial

For half of the participating schools, researchers will also study whether delivering both programs over two academic years is more effective than implementing just one. “This initiative gives our students tools to recognize and respond to mental health challenges, which is critical for their well-being. We’re grateful to partner with St. Luke’s on such important work for the students in our district.” said Dr. Shalene French, Superintendent, Caldwell School District.

“Schools are on the front lines when it comes to preventing suicide in youth,” said Elizabeth Steger, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive, St. Luke’s Health System. “This research will provide critical evidence on outcomes that matter deeply to students, parents, and schools, to guide educators and policymakers in selecting the most effective programs to protect our young people.”

Findings from the BRITE Trial will help schools nationwide implement strategies that save lives and support mental health during a pivotal developmental stage.

Lisa Roberts, Boise School District Superintendent said, “This program will help us identify the most effective strategies to support our students’ mental health. We’re proud to join St. Luke’s in this effort to keep our children safe."

BRITE builds on the important research St. Luke's previously led through the SPARC and SPRING trials. SPARC (Suicide Prevention Among Recipients of Care) is the largest suicide prevention study ever conducted in Idaho, with 1,520 participants. It tested two evidence-based follow-up interventions for patients at risk of suicide in emergency and primary care settings. The study produced a nationally endorsed Caring Contacts Implementation Toolkit and study results have been presented at 10 national conferences, helping health systems and state 988 hotlines adopt proven strategies to keep patients safe.

SPRING (Comparing Suicide Prevention Interventions to Generate Evidence of Effectiveness) is a pragmatic trial funded by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. It compares two versions of Caring Contacts text messages—one-way vs. two-way—and enhanced usual care to determine the most effective text-based approach for reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Enrollment is complete, and follow-up continues through 2026.

The BRITE Trial is funded through an award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which has been approved pending completion of PCORI’s business and programmatic review and issuance of a formal award contract.