Can a text message ease grief? UCLA tests digital support for bereaved students

NCT ID NCT07228260

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a text-based program called Help Texts can reduce grief and depression in college students who lost a loved one in the past year. About 126 UCLA students will either receive the texts twice a week for 12 months or get a list of grief resources. Researchers will track changes in grief severity, depression, and academic performance over a year.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

text-based grief support program (Help Texts)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a simple, low-cost way to help grieving college students feel better and stay on track academically.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage study with 126 students at one university, so results may not apply to everyone. The program is a support tool, not a medical treatment, and may not help all types of grief.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Franz Hall

    RECRUITING

    Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact