Pandemic's hidden toll: study probes youth suicide surge
NCT ID NCT07302295
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study examines the clinical and socioeconomic factors linked to suicidal behavior in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. Researchers will collect data from 6,500 participants aged 8 to 17, including medical records and interviews, to understand how lockdowns and social restrictions impacted mental health. The goal is to identify patterns and risk factors to better prevent future tragedies.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this study could help identify risk factors and improve prevention strategies for youth suicide during health crises.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It cannot prove cause and effect, and results may not apply to other regions or future pandemics.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 6,500 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2026
- Expected to finish
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Feb 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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8 to 18 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * The population (subjects and controls) will be divided into age categories: * Pre-adolescents (≥ 8 years and \< 11 years) * Adolescents (≥ 11 years and \< 15 years) * Older adolescents (≥ 15 years and \< 18 years) Subjects with suicidal behavior during the health crisis (Group 1): * Age \> 8 years and \< 18 years during the period 2020 to 2022. * Admitted to pediatric emergency departments or hospitalized in a care unit (CHU, general hospitals) in the AURA region during 2020, 2021, and/or 2022 for suicidal behavior (defined as suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempt and/or self-harm/self-poisoning with suicidal intent). Subjects with suicidal behavior during the health crisis with qualitative interviews (Group 1b): * Age \> 8 years and \< 18 years during the period 2020 to 2022. * Admitted to pediatric emergency departments or hospitalized in a care unit (CHU, general hospitals) in the AURA region during 2020, 2021, and/or 2022 for suicidal behavior (defined as suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempt and/or self-harm/self-poisoning with suicidal intent). * Randomly selected from the population of Group 1. * For whom the parent(s) and/or the subject have signed informed consent. Controls with suicidal behavior before the health crisis (Group 2): * Age \> 8 years and \< 18 years during the period 2018 to 2019. * Admitted to pediatric emergency departments or hospitalized in a care unit (CHU, general hospitals) in the AURA region during 2018 and/or 2019 for suicidal behavior (defined as suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempt and/or self-harm/self-poisoning with suicidal intent). Exclusion Criteria: \- Subjects with Suicidal Behavior during the Health Crisis with and without Qualitative Interviews (Group 1 and 1b): • Admitted to pediatric emergency services or hospitalized in a healthcare facility (university hospital center, general hospital) in the AURA region for a psychiatric reason other than suicidal behavior during the period from 2020 to 2022. Controls with Suicidal Behavior before the Health Crisis (Group 2): * Admitted to pediatric emergency services or hospitalized in a healthcare facility (university hospital center, general hospital) in the AURA region for a psychiatric reason other than suicidal behavior during the period from 2018 to 2019. * Intercurrent illness with a life expectancy of less than 24 hours. For Group 1: * Pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding women. * Persons deprived of liberty by judicial or administrative decision. * Adults subject to a legal protection measure (guardianship, curatorship). * Persons not affiliated with a social security scheme or beneficiaries of a similar scheme. * Persons who do not understand and do not speak French.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
4 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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CHU de Clermont-Ferrand - Service de psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGClermont-Ferrand, 63000, France
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CHU de Grenoble - Service de psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGGrenoble, 38043, France
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CHU de Saint-Etienne - Urgences psychiatriques
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGSaint-Etienne, 42100, France
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Hospices Civils de Lyon - Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant- Service de pédopsychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent
RECRUITINGBron, 69500, France
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