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Promoting Social Connection to Prevent Late-Life Suicide

Award Number: R33MH129476
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2028

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Promoting Social Connection to Prevent Late-Life Suicide - Promoting Social Connection to Prevent Late-Life Suicide Older adults have high rates of suicide and projections indicate subsequent cohorts will usher in even higher rates. We can expect an increase in suicide deaths among older adults in coming decades. However, there are no evidence-based interventions to prevent suicide deaths in later life, and scant data support strategies to prevent suicide deaths at any age. Social disconnection is a promising intervention target for late-life suicide prevention, but it is not known whether targeting social connection is an effective strategy to prevent suicide in later life. The objective of this R61/R33 proposal, in line with NIMH priorities of reducing suicide and understanding mechanisms, is to test whether a behavioral intervention—Social Engage Coaching (S-ENG)—reduces suicide risk in later life (clinical outcome) via social connection (target mechanism). We propose a two-phase experimental therapeutics project with multimodal assessment of objective and subjective indicators of social connection (via smartphone assessments). The R61 is a single-arm trial of S-ENG (n=30) with 1 week of smartphone-based target assessment at baseline, 8-weeks, and 16-weeks. The R33 is an RCT (S-ENG vs. eCAU; n=120) with longer duration follow-up to test clinical impact (20-weeks). Subjects are lonely older adults in Senior Living Communities (SLCs) who endorse suicide ideation. Study conditions are S-ENG (10 individual coaching sessions) and enhanced usual-care in SLCs (eCAU; exposure to SLC milieu with geriatrician medical directors). Our first aim for the R61 phase is to test target engagement (social connection). We hypothesize that S-ENG will be associated with increases in four indices of social connection. Our go/no-go criteria will determine if we move to the R33 phase: At least two indices of social connection must evidence clinically meaningful improvement—one objective and one subjective. If go/no-go criteria are met, we will address two aims for the R33 phase. First, to confirm target engagement in a randomized trial. We hypothesize that S-ENG (vs. eCAU) will be associated with greater increases in social connection. Second, to examine clinical and functional indices of reduced suicide risk. We hypothesize that S-ENG (vs. eCAU) will be associated with greater improvement in suicide ideation and quality of life at 20-week follow-up and improvement in social connection at 16-weeks will be associated with reduction in indices of suicide risk. A confirmatory efficacy trial will follow this study. Promoting social connection to prevent suicide is an under- studied but promising strategy to address mental health and well-being in later life.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $662,667 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	910 GENESEE ST	ROCHESTER	NY	14611	MONROE	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	3	12/30/2025	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$662,667
														Subtotal = $662,667

Grand Total All Awards = $662,667

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Promoting Social Connection to Prevent Late-Life Suicide

Award Number: R33MH129476

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2028

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