Suicide and mental health lab – Vladimir Carli and Gergö Hadlaczky's group

Our research group studies the biological, psychological, and social determinants of suicide and mental disorders, with the final objective to develop innovative methods for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Part of the:
Group photo of the members in Vladimir Carli and Gergö Hadlaczkys reearch group

Our research

Suicide and mental health lab is a research group affiliated with the National Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention (NASP). In an interdisciplinary environment (public health, psychology, psychiatry, molecular biology, and anthropology), we conduct research with the aim of developing innovative methods to prevent suicide and mental health problems. We also conduct studies to identify trends, risk factors and vulnerable populations related to suicide. The research that we, and other researchers, conduct is used to guide our activities within strategic public health work, education, and knowledge dissemination.  

Our organisation  

NASP is a collaborative centre that consists of several units, all of which are organised under two main institutional frameworks: Karolinska Institutet (KI) and Stockholm County Health Care Area (SLSO) at Region Stockholm. NASP is also a WHO collaborating centre for research, method development, and education in suicide prevention. 

In focus

Funding for research on the suicidal process to develop individualised support during suicidal crises
AI generated drawing of a hand holding a smartphone with text on the screen. In the background you see a city skyline. Photo: Copilot

Funding for research on the suicidal process to develop individualised support during suicidal crises

Researchers from Karolinska Institutet, Region Stockholm and Region Jönköping have been awarded a project grant of 5,995,000 SEK from Forte to conduct a four-year research project aimed at improving knowledge about the temporal dynamics of the suicidal process and developing an intervention for individualized support during suicidal crises.

Tim Bergling Foundation funds digital training in suicide prevention among the young
Illustration. Photo: Getty Images
Research project

Tim Bergling Foundation funds digital training in suicide prevention among the young

A four-year grant from the Bergling Foundation will provide support to Karolinska Institutet’s digital training initiative to help medical students be better at identifying and responding to suicidal children and young adults. The aim of the project is to give prospective doctors the tools they need to deal with young people in the risk zone.

Research projects

EU projects

EXPERIENCE
Woman in black sweater holding white and black VR goggles Photo: Maxim Hopman/Unsplash

EXPERIENCE

Extended-Personal Reality: augmented recording and transmission of virtual senses through artificial-Intelligence

The transport system

BLISP
Årstabron Photo: Beatrice Johansson

BLISP

Blue Light Intervention for Railway Suicide Prevention

Children and adolescents

STEAM
Photo: iStock photo

STEAM

Screen Time Effects on Adolescent Mental health

Trends and risk factors

GISS

GISS

Genetic Investigation of Suicide Attempt and Suicide

Selective and indicated intervention

Transcultural aspects

Publications

All publications from group members

Funding

Grants

  • Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 January 2025 - 31 December 2027
    Research problem and specific questions.There is a need to improve suicide prevention strategies in Sweden. To address this, the proposed project will evaluate Uppföljningssamtal, a novel intervention that consists of supportive telephone calls delivered over 12-months with the goal to reduce suicidality in individuals with increased suicide risk. Two studies are planned:   Pilot Study 1, will evaluate practicality and perceived helpfulness of Uppföljningssamtal through examining the following research questions:  1a: What are end-users’ feedback on Uppföjlningssamtal? 1b: How do staff who deliver Uppföljningssamtal view acceptability, and practical implementation needs? Guided by these results, Study 2 will evaluate effectiveness (if the intervention works), treatment mechanisms (why the intervention works) for end-users and further implementation needs through the following research questions:  2a: Does Uppföljningssamtal lead to significant reductions in end-users’ suicidal ideation? 2b: Does Uppföljningssamtal lead to reduced hospital admissions for suicide attempts? 2c: What are the effective components of the Uppföljningssamtal intervention?  2d: What are staffs’ feedback regarding barriers and facilitators to implementing Uppföljningssamtal beyond the current project? Data and method.Study 1 will use a mixed-methods design, combining quantitative questionnaires with qualitative interviews, to ensure comprehensive data is gathered from staff and end-users. Study 2 will be a randomized controlled trial, where participants will be randomly allocated to Uppföljningssamtal or a control condition, as this is the ‘gold-standard’ method for evaluating intervention effectiveness. Societal relevance and utilization.This project will add crucial insights into the implementation of a novel suicide prevention strategy in Sweden. This does not only benefit individuals in need of support, but also wider society, by advancing our understanding of effective suicide prevention strategies
    knowledge that can be utilized and built on, beyond the current project. Plan for project realisation.A 3-year project is planned. At the project start, Study 1 will already be ongoing, and will be finalised in 2025, whilst Study 2 is prepared. In 2026, Study 2 will start, and remain ongoing until Sep 2027, after which results will be finalised to ensure timely project conclusion. Costs will cover the main applicant, a research assistant and intervention staff.
  • Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025
  • Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 December 2022 - 30 September 2026
    Research problem and specific questions: The overall purpose is to develop knowledge about how adolescents’ mental health has changed from 1986 to 2022 and investigate determinants of both mental well-being (positive mental health) and various forms of mental complaints reported by adolescents in Sweden and the other Nordic countries.The research questions include: What are the prevalence and time trends for different aspects of mental health and well-being in the different Nordic nations? How are mental health and well-being affected by age (11-, 13- and 15-year-olds), gender, and socioeconomic status over time across the Nordic countries? What is the impact of school-, peer- and family-related resources on mental health and well-being? Which contextual factors at the societal level contribute to Nordic national differences in prevalence and time trends of mental health and well-being? What are the effects of the introduction of social media and the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and well-being among adolescents? How does self-reported mental health relate to psychiatric diagnosis by a professional (Danish data only)?  What do young people see as the most important factors to understand mental health?Data and Method: This project is part of a Nordic research collaboration within the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children: WHO Collaborative Cross-National survey/study (HBSC). Surveys have been conducted every fourth year since 1986. The next survey will be 2025/2026. The data quality is maintained by a standardised international research protocol that is strictly followed to ensure consistency in survey instruments, data collection and processing procedures. Data on psychiatric diagnosis and medication will be linked to recent Danish samples. A qualitative study, Magnifying the voices of young people is also included.Plan for realisation: This application includes salaries (e.g., coordinator, researcher), funding for workshops and travel, register linkage of the Danish data, and the qualitative study. The funding of the national HBSC data collection is covered by individual national agencies.Relevance:  Mental health amongst Nordic adolescents, particularly girls, has deteriorated. The planned research project will provide unique opportunities to uncover prevalence and trends, along with individual and contextual factors associated with adolescents’ mental health, thus helping society understand and address mental health related matters.
  • European Commission
    1 January 2021 - 30 June 2025
  • European Commission
    1 January 2019 - 31 October 2024
  • European Commission
    1 January 2016 - 30 September 2020
  • European Commission
    1 September 2010 - 1 January 2014
  • European Commission
    1 May 2010 - 30 April 2013
  • European Commission
    1 January 2009 - 31 December 2011
  • Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation
  • The Swedish Institute
  • The Swedish Transport Administration

Staff and contact

Group leader

All members of the group

Finished projects