Research: Pediatric Behavioral Health

Psychiatry Research Overview

Behavioral Health experts at Children’s Health partner with UT Southwestern on clinical research, recruitment and trials. Learn about our latest innovations in care and cutting-edge studies:

Texas Childhood Trauma Research Network (TX-CTRN) We are one of 12 TX-CTRN sites across Texas. Participants are recruited from areas such as the trauma unit, outpatient psychiatry, consult services, dialysis, hematology and oncology. Children and their legal guardians complete six assessments across two years, where we evaluate their trauma history, mood symptoms, treatment history, suicidality and other social aspects affecting their health.​ Principal Investigator: Sunita Stewart, Ph.D.

Texas Youth Depression and Suicide Research Network (TX- YDSRN) TX-YDSRN is a multi-site study led by its hub site at UTSW. Eligible patients within outpatient psychiatry, intensive outpatient therapy and partial hospitalization programs are recruited for this study. Initially designed to be a two-year study, TX-YDSRN will continue to collect data from youth for up to 10 years. We conduct in-depth assessments of mood symptoms, suicidal ideation and behavior, associated comorbidities, treatment history, services use and social determinants of health. Principal Investigators: Beth Kennard, Psy.D., and Graham J. Emslie, M.D.

A Multi-Site Study to Compare the Outcomes of Psychiatric Treatment of Suicidal Adolescents in Different Treatment Setting (START II)UTSW is one of four START II sites across the nation. Suicidal youth who could be appropriate for multiple treatment settings are assessed and discharged to either an outpatient crisis intervention clinic (Suicide Prevention and Resilience at Childrens) or inpatient care. Participants and their legal guardians remotely complete surveys for six months following their mental health crisis to compare risk of suicidal events, treatment satisfaction, and life satisfaction between treatment settings. Principal Investigators: Beth Kennard, Psy.D., and Graham J. Emslie, M.D.

Characterizing Inflammatory Profiles in Suicidal Behaviors in Adolescents​ The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has awarded a three-year grant to develop immune profiles for adolescents with suicidal behavior and those at risk. This study recruits adolescents with suicidal behaviors who may be at risk for MDD or bipolar disorder from Children’s Health Dallas, Children’s Health Plano and from the community. Participants complete various evaluations and self-report measures to assess demographics, clinical characteristics, mood symptoms, and biological samples with the goal of developing immune profiles for adolescents with suicidal behavior and those at risk. Principal Investigators: Madhukar Trivedi, M.D. and Graham J. Emslie, M.D.

Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial of Acute-Course of Ketamine Versus Midazolam for Recurrence of Suicidality in Adolescents (TASK) This study is funded by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant awarded to the Center for Depression Research and Clinical care. Adolescents who have had a recent suicidal event may be recruited from various departments at Children’s or from the community to participate in the TASK study. Participants will either receive four Ketamine or Midazolam infusions throughout a two-week period and complete assessments about their depression symptoms and suicidal events over the entire 12-week study period. Principal Investigators: Madhukar Trivedi, M.D., Graham J. Emslie, M.D., and Beth Kennard, Psy.D.

Around 600,000 children in Texas have behavioral and mental health care needs. Children’s Health℠ is home to one of the nation’s most comprehensive Behavioral Health programs specializing in diagnosing and treating psychological and psychiatric conditions. Our compassionate experts help children and teens with diverse concerns, including anxiety, stress, depression, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders and more. Our services include psychological assessments, psychiatric consultations and clinical therapy to support children impacted by emotional, mental, behavioral or social-functioning issues.

We are committed to helping every patient receive the mental health support they need to feel better, so they thrive.