Improving access to mental health care for Veterans through telehealth initiatives
Official title: VA's virtual care initiatives and suicide prevention
Funded at Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys · NIH-10864883 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using telehealth can help Veterans get better access to mental health care, especially for preventing suicide, and it aims to find out what works best and what challenges they face in getting help.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Palo Alto, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2024 |
| Project end | September 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 1IK2HX003723-01A2 |
| Project ID | NIH-10864883 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans experiencing mental health conditions who may benefit from telehealth services.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have access to digital technology or those who are not Veterans may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how telehealth can enhance access to mental health care for Veterans, particularly focusing on suicide prevention. It aims to evaluate the effectiveness of recent telehealth initiatives using advanced causal inference methods and machine learning. By analyzing data from the VA, the research seeks to identify barriers to care and assess the impact of digital technology on health disparities among Veterans. The study will also incorporate mixed methods to provide a comprehensive understanding of the initiatives' effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health care access for Veterans, potentially reducing suicide rates.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in using telehealth for mental health care, but this specific approach is novel and aims to fill existing gaps in evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys
Palo Alto, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gujral, Kritee — Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys
- Study coordinator: Gujral, Kritee
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Mobile safety planning for at-risk young adults
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INCLUSAVE: helping young adults with IDD access suicide-prevention trainings
A new NIH grant studies whether two proven gatekeeper trainings (ASIST and safeTALK) can be delivered in inclusive settings to support young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their communities.
-
Technology-assisted suicide prevention for youth in Colombian school settings
A youth-focused program will test a culturally tailored digital platform and teacher training to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors in schools.
-
Qnnections: A Social Connection‑Focused Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ+ Veterans
A new group-based program tailored for LGBTQ+ Veterans aims to strengthen belonging and reduce burdensomeness to help prevent suicide.
-
Nurse- and Peer-Led Suicide Prevention for Women in Tajikistan
A nurse- and peer-led program in Tajikistan aims to help women at risk of suicide by adding tailored, frontline support in primary care.
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Targeted online suicide prevention for Veterans
A web-based, one-session intervention for Veterans to reduce thoughts of suicide and self-harm by helping them manage distress and rigid thinking.
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.