A Mixed Methods Pilot Trial of the STEP Home Workshop to Improve Reintegration and Reduce Suicide Risk for Recently Transitioned Veterans

Launched by VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT · Aug 15, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a new workshop called STEP-Home-SP, designed to help Veterans who have recently transitioned from military to civilian life. The goal is to provide support and education about suicide prevention, improve their ability to adjust to civilian life, and help them connect with VA healthcare services. Since Veterans are at a higher risk for suicide during this transition period, this program aims to reduce that risk by offering practical skills and a supportive community.

To participate, Veterans need to be within one year of leaving military service and be experiencing some challenges as they reintegrate into civilian life. They should be comfortable speaking English and willing to join the study. However, those with severe mental health issues, like active psychosis or high suicide risk, won't be eligible. Participants can expect to engage in helpful workshops that focus on managing stress, building connections, and learning about available resources, all in a friendly and supportive environment.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Recently transitioned Veterans within one year of separation from military service
• • Self-reported functional impairment or reintegration difficulties as measured by the Military-to-Civilian Questionnaire (any item score \> 1 indicating "some difficulty"; M2CQ; \[71\])
• • Sufficient English fluency
• • Agree to participate (informed consent/HIPAA)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Active psychosis
• • Imminent or acute high suicide risk requiring immediate crisis intervention (low-moderate non-imminent risk for suicide is allowed)
• • Current moderate or severe substance use disorder
• • Neurological diagnosis excluding TBI
• • Participants with mild substance use disorder will be allowed
• • Substance use is a common behavior that may contribute to reintegration difficulties and suicide risk