Improving community mental healthcare for rural Veterans after military sexual trauma
Official title: Understanding Community-based Mental Healthcare for Rural Veterans with Military Sexual Trauma
Funded at Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center · NIH-11193230 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project works with rural Veterans, local clinics, and VA partners to build better mental health support for people affected by military sexual trauma.
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 | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2HX003347-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11193230 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are rural U.S. Veterans who experienced military sexual trauma and who are seeking or using mental health services, especially those eligible for care through the Veterans Community Care Program.
✕Less likely to help
Veterans who do not live in rural areas, who do not have a history of military sexual trauma, or who exclusively use specialty VHA services in urban centers may not directly benefit from this community-focused project.
What this research studies
The team will examine how the Veterans Community Care Program connects rural Veterans to non-VA mental health providers and where gaps exist. They will interview and survey Veterans, community clinicians, and VA staff to learn about barriers, needs, and promising practices. Using those findings, they will pilot community engagement strategies to help local providers deliver higher-quality, accessible psychotherapy to rural Veterans with military sexual trauma. The focus is on practical changes that can make care easier to find and use in rural communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make it easier for rural Veterans who experienced military sexual trauma to get timely, high-quality mental health care close to home.
How similar studies have gone: Community engagement and service-linkage approaches have improved access in some settings, but applying these methods specifically to rural Veterans with military sexual trauma is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Boykin, Derrecka M — Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Boykin, Derrecka M
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.