3 - (SYM 52) Supporting Peer Navigators in Suicide Prevention Work

Introduction: Emerging adult sexual and gender minorities (EASGM) are at increased risk for suicide. Unique risk factors predict suicidal ideation and attempts in EASGM, including discrimination, family/friend rejection, and low positive affect; few suicide prevention interventions address these unique risk factors in EASGM. Peer Mentors offer a unique opportunity for intervention but are underutilized for suicide prevention among EASGM. We developed an intervention, Supporting Transitions to Adulthood and Reducing Suicide (STARS), to improve suicide prevention among EASGM and increase social support, coping and positive affect. STARS includes a Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) with a licensed clinician, access to a mobile app, and Peer Mentoring. STARS considers unique cultural factors that may impact the efficacy of SPI among EAGSM. Peer Mentors meet virtually for 6 weeks, providing social support, strategies to diminish the impact of discrimination, connection to safe spaces, and reinforcement of intentions to use Safety Plans. We are interested in understanding Peer Mentors’ experiences in their role, including distress, fidelity to the manual, and perceptions of feasibility and acceptability of STARS and participants’ Safety Plan.

Methods: Guided by the RE-AIM framework, we are pilot-testing STARS using a Type 1 Hybrid Implementation Design in a racially/ethnically diverse sample of EAGSM (N = 60) with past-month suicidal ideation. Participants are randomized to create a SPI in person with a licensed clinician (Control arm) or to STARS and are assessed over 6 months.

Results: Since October 2022, 14 participants (mean age: 21.7 years; 67% assigned female sex at birth) completed their baseline evaluation and were randomized (7 to STARS, 7 to control); 9 additional enrollment visits are scheduled in the next 2 weeks (recruitment will be completed in September 2023). No serious adverse events have been reported. All scheduled Peer Mentor sessions have been completed. We will present key findings on Peer Mentors’ experiences of distress during their sessions (rated for each session), fidelity to the Peer Mentor manual, and perceptions of the utility, acceptability, and feasibility of STARS and the Safety Plan.


Discussion: We will elucidate Peer Mentors’ experiences with serving as a support person to EAGSM who are reporting suicidal ideation. We will use feedback from the Peer Mentors to ensure that the STARS program is sustainable for Peer Mentors, which will support a large-scale efficacy trial.