Social Media & Suicide Prevention Among Adolescents Research Center

Welcome to SPARC-Life! This Center is operated by Drs. Candice Biernesser and Jamie Zelazny at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Psychiatry and School of Nursing, respectively. This website will detail research studies we or our colleagues are conducting and offer resources to adolescents and their families.

Young girl making a heart with her hands
Children aged 10-17 are needed for SPARC-Life's SMART2 study

You or your child may be eligible if you/they are:

  • Ages 10-17
  • English-speaking
  • Owners (or users) of at least one social media account
  • Has/has not had a suicide attempt in their lifetime

The SMART study is conducted by Dr. Jamie Zelazny

For more information or if you're interested in participating, check out SMART2 on Pitt+Me.