Phone alerts may curb suicidal urges in real time

NCT ID NCT05848089

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether teaching people three simple skills to manage negative emotions, plus getting smartphone reminders to practice them, could reduce suicidal thoughts and emotional distress. 41 adults who had recently attempted suicide or had current suicidal thoughts took part. The goal was to see if these real-time prompts help lower the intensity of suicidal urges.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

cognitive behavioral therapy skills training plus smartphone prompts

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a practical, low-cost way to help people manage suicidal thoughts in real time using their own phone.

What could go wrong

This is a small, completed early-stage study with only 41 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The intervention relies on participants engaging with their phone, which may not work for all.

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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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Suicidal Ideation Suicide Suicide, Attempted

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02130, United States