Note: This study is currently only recruiting patients in the hospital.
If you are interested in being notified if this study begins recruiting from the general population, please use the 'I Am Interested' button below.
Kids 10-17 Who Cut Themselves
Enrollment for this study is expected to close on Friday, May 15, 2026
Overview
What we are studying
Non-suicidal self-injury, defined as deliberate destruction of body tissue without intent to die (i.e., self-cutting), is a common problem in children and teens. It is associated with a 7–8 fold increased risk for suicide. But, we do not know which kids engaged in NSSI will try to commit suicide and which will not. This study seeks to address 2 important questions:
Why it is important
Suicide is the second leading cause of death starting at age 10 through age 33. Cutting is found in >40% of kids seen in the ER for mental health problems. Despite much work, we have no reliable markers (scans or tests) to accurately predict if an individual child will try to kill themself and might need inpatient psychiatric care vs. which kids might not. With your help, we could begin to change that by identifying brain and behavior mechanisms of NSSI/cutting and suicide.
What we hope to accomplish
This study will answer 2 questions:
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Principal Investigator
Project Contact
Click I Am Interested "I Am Interested" "I Am Interested" to get started. If you have questions, contact:
PediMIND Program
Who can participate
Who cannot participate
What you may be asked to do
Participants complete interviews and IQ test to see if they are eligible for our study. NSSI volunteers who are eligible will: Then for 1 week they will do mood ratings by smartphone app. Then they will have an MRI brain scan. After this, they will have brief (30- to 45-minute) follow-up visits at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 months involving interviews and mood ratings. Participants are paid based on how much of the study they complete.
Project activities may include:
- Survey
- MRI scan
Estimated Time Commitment
8 hours over 3 visits
What You May Get
Participants receive a summary letter of their initial interview and IQ screen. Participants are compensated for their time based on how much of the study they qualify for and complete.
Location
McLean Hospital
115 Mill Street, Belmont MA
Travel
- Parking available
Travel and Parking Details
In-person visits including behavioral task/computer games and MRI will be at McLean Hospital. Some interviews will be remote.
Additional Information
Funding Source
- NIH or Other Federal