Development of a safety planning smartphone app to reduce suicide risk among adolescents (EMIRA)

Tamara GROSSMANN¹, Matthias LUEHR¹, Nadine BAYER¹, Jana HOERGER¹, Daniel BUSCHEK², Nathalie OEXLE¹

¹Department of Psychiatry II, University of Ulm and BKH Guenzburg, Ulm, Germany
²Chair of Mobile Intelligent User Interfaces, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Computer Sciences, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany

Introduction. Suicide is among the leading causes of death among adolescents. Interventions to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviours (STBs) are integral for successful suicide prevention among adolescents. However, such interventions are scarce. EMIRA aims to close this important gap by developing a personalized crisis support smartphone app to reduce STBs among adolescents (aged 12-21 years) at risk for suicide.

Methods. EMIRA consists of four sub-projects. 1) We conducted qualitative interviews with adolescents who previously experienced STBs and health care providers to identify intervention needs. 2) We currently investigate the short-term variability of STBs and their cognitive correlates among adolescents using Ecological Momentary Assessment (app-based self-report). Drawing on the results from the first two sub-projects, we will develop a personalized crisis support smartphone app (mobile safety planning). 3 + 4) We will conduct two consecutive studies to test the feasibility and efficacy of the smartphone app in reducing STBs among adolescents at risk for suicide. We follow the ideas of community-based participatory research (CBPR) and include a CBPR-panel in the research process (i.e. stakeholders, such as young adults who previously experienced STBs and health care providers, contribute to the development and refinement of study designs).

Results. Adolescents and health care providers (sub-project 1) suggested that the crisis support smartphone app should provide a digital safety plan and offer opportunities for distraction. As adolescents and health care providers suggested various and partly contrasting features, it became evident that options need to be customizable so the content can be adjusted to individual needs. App development and data collection in sub-project 2 are currently underway and results will be summarized as part of the suggested presentation.

Discussion. EMIRA may have great potential to close a crucial gap in adolescent mental health services and significantly improve suicide prevention among this group.