A program to help Veterans reduce isolation and build social connections
Official title: Increasing Veterans' Social Engagement and Connectedness (CONNECTED)
Funded at Rlr VA Medical Center · NIH-11135303 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program offers Veterans an 8-week telehealth service with peer support and patient navigation to help reduce feelings of social isolation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rlr VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01HX003741-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11135303 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are Veterans aged 21 and older who feel socially isolated or have a history of mental health concerns and receive care in VHA primary care clinics.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not Veterans, are under 21, lack access to telehealth, or require intensive medical or inpatient services may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
You would be offered an 8-week telehealth program led by trained peer specialists who combine one-on-one peer support with patient navigation. The team works with you to identify social needs, link you to community resources and activities, and provide emotional support tailored to Veterans. Services are delivered through VHA primary care clinics and designed to include diverse Veteran backgrounds. The project will track changes in social connection and related health measures over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could lower loneliness and improve mental and physical health for Veterans by connecting them to ongoing supports and services.
How similar studies have gone: Peer support and patient navigation have shown benefits for Veterans' well-being in prior programs, but combining them specifically to target social isolation is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Rlr VA Medical Center
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eliacin, Johanne — Rlr VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Eliacin, Johanne
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.