Tsholofelo

Adaptation and Implementation of Suicide Prevention for Youth in Schools in Botswana

In Botswana, suicide disproportionately affects youth, with a mortality rate among the top 25 globally. Despite this high burden, evidence-based practices for suicide prevention are not available. This project has partnered with the University of Botswana to co-design and implement a suicide prevention package (screening, assessment, safety planning intervention) in six schools in the public sector of Gaborone, Botswana. The project addresses three specific aims:

• Adapt the safety planning intervention through community-engaged approaches
• Develop implementation strategies through contextual inquiry and implementation mapping
• Evaluate implementation outcomes (feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness, fidelity, reach), clinical outcomes (suicidal ideation and behavior), and mechanisms (deliverer self-efficacy and youth suicide-related coping skills) via a hybrid effectiveness-implementation type III trial

A priori strategies will involve task-shifting delivery of the suicide prevention package to guidance and counseling teachers in schools to overcome the barrier of limited mental health personnel in this region. Achievement of the study aims will inform future scale-up of suicide prevention across schools in Botswana, thus contributing to the long-term goal of reducing death by suicide among youth.

Project Details

Dates: September 23, 2025- September 22, 2028

Funding Source: National Institute of Mental Health

Grant Number: R34MH136019-01

Contact

Principal Investigators: Amelia Van Pelt, PhD, MPH, Lingani Mbakile-Mahlanza, PhD

Co-Investigators: Rinad Beidas, PhD, Jonah Meyerhoff, PhD, Zabin Patel-Syed, PhD, MPH, Kesego Mathoothe MA

Project Staff: Olga Barnas, MSRC, Ontiretse Sickboy, MS

Consultants: Shari Jager-Hyman, PhD, Shannon Dorsey, PhD