Helping homeless veterans with mental health and substance use issues through a new treatment program
A Randomized Controlled Trial of MISSION-CJ for Justice-Involved Homeless Veterans with Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mental Health
This study is testing a new support program called MISSION-CJ to help homeless veterans struggling with mental health and substance use issues, by providing them with a caring team to guide them towards better choices and access to care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bedford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176724 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates a new treatment approach called MISSION-CJ, designed specifically for homeless veterans who have both mental health and substance use disorders. The program utilizes a team of case managers and peers to provide support and guidance, helping these veterans engage in positive community behaviors and maintain their treatment gains. By conducting a randomized controlled trial, the research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach in reducing criminal behavior and improving access to care for these vulnerable individuals.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are homeless veterans who are involved in the criminal justice system and have co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Not a fit: Patients who are not veterans or do not have co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the lives of homeless veterans by reducing recidivism and enhancing their mental health and substance use treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous pilot programs using the MISSION-CJ approach have shown promising results in reducing criminal recidivism and improving behavioral health outcomes, indicating potential for success in this larger trial.
Where this research is happening
Bedford, United States
- Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital — Bedford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smelson, David a — Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital
- Study coordinator: Smelson, David a
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 below.