What is the STEP-Home-SP workshop studying for recently transitioned Veterans?

The STEP-Home-SP workshop is being studied to see if it can help recently transitioned Veterans improve reintegration, reduce social isolation, and lower suicide risk. Researchers are evaluating how well this telehealth program teaches skills like emotional regulation and problem solving while supporting Veterans in accessing VA care during a critical transition period.

Who may be eligible for this Veterans suicide prevention clinical trial?

Adults between 18 and 65 years old who have left military service within the last three years may be eligible. Participants should experience reintegration challenges and be fluent in English. People with active psychosis or moderate to severe substance use disorders are excluded. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this Veterans suicide prevention clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the workshop and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. However, personal travel expenses or other costs related to participation may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 18Years - 65Years

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

ID05995678

Pilot Study of the STEP-Home-SP Workshop to Support Reintegration and Reduce Suicide Risk for Veterans Recently Leaving Military Service

Led by VA Office of Research and Development · Updated on 2026-03-06

120

Participants Needed

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

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 Veterans 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

Age: 18Years - 65Years

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

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

Research Team

Catherine B Fortier, PhD

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