Advertising to help Veterans learn about proven PTSD therapies
Official title: Direct to consumer marketing to engage Veterans in evidence-based psychotherapies for PTSD
Funded at Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center · NIH-11371592 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses targeted ads to encourage Veterans with PTSD to try proven psychotherapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2022 |
| Project end | September 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01HX003475-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11371592 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are Veterans with PTSD who receive care in the VA system and are willing to view outreach materials and share brief survey responses.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not Veterans, do not have PTSD, or who cannot access VA mental health services are unlikely to benefit from this work.
What this research studies
You would be shown different kinds of ads that explain what evidence-based PTSD therapies are and what to expect in treatment. The team will compare which messages lead Veterans to contact the VA, schedule appointments, and actually begin therapy instead of just saying they might. Participation may include brief surveys about the ads and tracking of appointment scheduling and therapy attendance through VA records. The effort is aimed at Veterans who receive care in the VA system and uses real-world measures of treatment initiation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more Veterans with PTSD may learn about and start effective psychotherapies, which could reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning.
How similar studies have gone: Direct-to-consumer ads have driven demand for medications, but prior mental-health advertising studies mostly measured intentions rather than actual therapy-seeking, so this approach is promising but partly untested for changing real treatment behavior.
Where this research is happening
-
Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hundt, Natalie E — Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hundt, Natalie E
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how PTSD affects self-control and brain function
Researchers are studying how PTSD changes the brain’s control over thoughts and actions, and how this might affect Veterans’ daily lives and responses to treatment.
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Ketamine to boost fear extinction and memory on PTSD patients
A study testing whether ketamine can help people with PTSD better relearn and forget fear when given in a guided treatment plan.
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Treating PTSD and opioid use disorder in residential care with Written Exposure Therapy (WEST)
A short, patient-friendly plan to adapt a proven PTSD therapy for people with opioid use disorder in residential treatment and test its practicality and impact.
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Dynamic PTSD-Related Cognitive Risk in Aging WTC Responders
This project follows World Trade Center responders as they age to understand how PTSD symptoms relate to changes in thinking skills over time.
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Identifying brain proteins linked to PTSD and alcohol use disorder
Researchers are studying brain proteins that may contribute to PTSD and alcohol use disorder in US veterans to find new ways to help people who struggle with both conditions.
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Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy for Veterans with Social Anxiety and PTSD Symptoms
A clinical trial tests whether a flexible brain-behavior therapy helps veterans with social anxiety and PTSD symptoms feel better and engage more in daily life.
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.