Actively Recruiting
A Mixed Methods Pilot Trial of the STEP Home Workshop to Improve Reintegration and Reduce Suicide Risk for Recently Transitioned Veterans
Led by VA Office of Research and Development · Updated on 2026-03-06
120
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Veterans face a heightened risk of suicide during the first year after leaving military service, especially those not connected to VA healthcare. This research aims to improve reintegration and reduce suicide risk for recently transitioned Veterans by evaluating STEP-Home-SP, a skills-based, video telehealth workshop. It is designed to provide suicide prevention education, support for accessing VA care, and tools to manage the transition effectively during this critical period. The study compares two groups: one participating in the STEP-Home-SP workshop and the other receiving Enhanced Usual Care (EUC), which includes standard care plus an educational packet on suicide risk and VA care connection. STEP-Home-SP involves weekly 1.5-hour group sessions over 12 weeks, focusing on emotional regulation, problem solving, and attention training, with up to six additional 30-minute individual sessions tailored to each Veteran's needs. EUC involves existing transition support programs such as the Transition Assistance Program and VA Solid Start outreach. Participants will be assessed at multiple points over a year, including baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. Researchers will measure feasibility factors like recruitment and adherence, satisfaction with the program, and changes in reintegration status using the Military-to-Civilian Questionnaire. They will also monitor engagement with VA care and collect qualitative feedback. The study will help inform future larger trials and aims to address social isolation and suicide risk during Veterans' transition to civilian life.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
A Mixed Methods Pilot Trial of the STEP Home Workshop to Improve Reintegration and Reduce Suicide Risk for Recently Transitioned Veterans
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Recently transitioned Veterans within three years 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")
- Sufficient English fluency
- Agree to participate (informed consent/HIPAA)
You will not qualify if you...
- 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 traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Participants with mild substance use disorder are allowed
- Substance use is common and may contribute to reintegration difficulties and suicide risk
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or virtual) for eligibility screening
Duration - 12 weeks
Participants in the STEP-Home-SP group attend weekly 1.5-hour video telehealth workshops for 12 weeks focusing on emotional regulation, problem solving, and suicide prevention skills. Individual 30-minute skill-building sessions occur up to 6 times based on individual needs. Participants in the usual care group receive standard transition support including the Transition Assistance Program and VA Solid Start outreach.
Weekly group workshop sessions via video telehealth plus up to 6 individual sessions for the STEP-Home-SP group; usual care follows scheduled programs
Duration - Up to 12 weeks after treatment (total 24 weeks from baseline)
Participants are monitored for reintegration status, engagement with VA care, and suicide risk outcomes up to 24 weeks post-baseline.
Visits at 12 weeks and 24 weeks post-baseline for assessments
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus, Jamaica Plain, MA
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02130-4817
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
C
Catherine B Fortier, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
2
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