Social disconnection and Suicide Risk in Late Life (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)

This initiative seeks to solicit applications for research projects that address the link between social disconnection, including both objective social isolation as well as perceived social isolation (otherwise known as loneliness), and suicide in late-life. The emphasis is placed on research that identifies neurobiological and environmental mechanisms associated with social isolation and loneliness that increase risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior in late-life. Some key areas of focus include: • Using an experimental therapeutics approach to identify targets and develop and test interventions to prevent late-life suicide • Developing new and modifying existing service delivery models to enhance social connection in late-life to prevent suicide • Identifying neurobiological and environmental mechanisms associated with social isolation and loneliness that increase risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior in late-life