How veterans' first months back to civilian life affect long-term mental health and suicide risk
Implications of Veterans' Initial Reintegration Experiences for their Longer-Term Mental Health and Suicidality: Identifying Veterans who Would Benefit from Early Intervention
This project will identify veterans whose early post-service experiences predict worse long-term mental health and suicidal thoughts, including the effects of COVID-19 stressors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Boston Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11184448 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective as a veteran, researchers will look back at what happened for you right after you left the military—things like work, finances, health, and social support—and link those early experiences to mental health and suicidality up to ten years later. The team will use information veterans provided during their initial transition plus follow-up surveys and records to see which early problems lead to lasting difficulties. They will also separate out how COVID-19 related stressors changed those trajectories. The goal is to find signs early so interventions can be offered before problems become chronic.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are veterans who recently left military service or who reported difficulties during their initial transition to civilian life, especially those affected by COVID-19 stressors.
Not a fit: Veterans who separated long ago without information about their early transition, or whose problems are unrelated to transition experiences or COVID-19 stressors, may be less likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help target early supports to veterans most at risk and help prevent long-term mental health problems and suicidality.
How similar studies have performed: Past research has linked early reintegration challenges to poorer outcomes, but this ten-year follow-up and explicit look at COVID-19 effects is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- VA Boston Health Care System — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vogt-Ryan, Dawne Suzanne — VA Boston Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Vogt-Ryan, Dawne Suzanne
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.