eHealth program to help Veterans start and stay on depression treatment
Official title: An eHealth intervention to increase depression treatment initiation and adherence among Veterans referred for mental health services
Funded at James a. Haley VA Medical Center · NIH-11424321 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This eHealth program uses online and phone mood tracking plus personalized outreach to help Veterans referred for mental health care begin and stick with depression treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | James a. Haley VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2HX002899-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11424321 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans referred for mental health services with symptoms of depression, particularly OEF/OIF (post-9/11) Veterans, are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Those who are already actively engaged in care, who cannot or will not use phone or internet tools, or who do not receive care through the VA may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
You would use a phone or web tool to report your mood and symptoms and receive tailored messages or reminders. Researchers build predictive models from VA health records and your self-reports to identify who might stop engaging in care. When the system flags risk, it triggers extra outreach to help you connect with providers, keep appointments, or continue medications. The work focuses on Veterans, especially post-9/11 (OEF/OIF) Veterans, who are at higher risk for untreated depression and suicide.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could make it easier for Veterans to start treatment, stay engaged, and reduce depression symptoms and suicide risk.
How similar studies have gone: Other eHealth and mood-tracking programs have shown promise for improving engagement and symptoms, but combining predictive analytics with targeted outreach for Veterans is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
-
James a. Haley VA Medical Center
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Panaite, Vanessa — James a. Haley VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Panaite, Vanessa
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Guided self-help care to widen access for depression and anxiety in VA primary care
A VA grant tests guided self-help programs for depression and generalized anxiety disorder that can be delivered in primary care with support from non-psychologist staff.
-
Community-embedded, layperson-supported digital mental health for homebound older adults with depression
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Chatbot-based mental health app for middle-aged and older adults with depression or anxiety and chronic pain
This project tests a chatbot and coach-based app adapted to help middle-aged and older adults who have depression or anxiety alongside chronic pain.
-
Digital mental health support for older adults at home with depression
This study is testing a helpful online program called Empower@Home that aims to support older adults who are stuck at home and feeling depressed, by using videos and therapy techniques to improve their mental health with the help of local service providers.
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.