Improving depression care for Veterans during and after COVID-19
Official title: Leveraging COVID-19 to modernize depression care for VA primary care populations
Funded at VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System · NIH-10914642 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to better spot and treat depression in Veterans, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic changed how care is delivered, and it involves nurses checking in with Veterans and doctors offering support based on their needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| NIH project number | 5I01HX003635-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914642 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans who have experienced symptoms of depression, especially those who may have been affected by the disruptions in care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of depression or who are not Veterans may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the detection and treatment of depression among Veterans, particularly in the context of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It involves primary care nurses conducting annual screenings and clinicians providing follow-up care as needed. The study aims to understand how the pandemic has affected depression care quality and to gather feedback from Veterans and healthcare providers to improve hybrid care models that combine virtual and in-person services.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to effective depression care for Veterans, ultimately reducing the risk of suicide and enhancing overall mental health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that integrating mental health services into primary care can improve outcomes, suggesting that this approach may be effective in addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leung, Lucinda B — VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Leung, Lucinda B
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Single-session intervention and interpersonal therapy for teen depression in Mozambican clinics
A pilot, real-world trial tests if a one-visit program plus coaching helps depressed teens in Mozambique access care and feel better.
-
Shared Decision Making for Depression Care in Primary Care
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-
Single-Session Intervention to Help Adolescent Depression in Mozambican Clinics
A one-visit intervention delivered by non-specialists aims to reduce depression symptoms for adolescents in Mozambican primary care, with implementation in real-world clinic settings.
-
ETUDES: Improving Care for Suicidal Youth in Pediatric Primary Care
A center-led effort to help pediatric primary care teams better detect, triage, and manage suicidal thoughts and behaviors in teens.
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Matching primary care patients to the best depression treatment
This project uses routine information from primary care patients with moderate to severe depression to match them to either an antidepressant or a brief behavioral therapy so more people get better.
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Personalizing depression treatment in primary care
This project uses patient information and machine learning to match adults with moderate to severe depression in primary care to the antidepressant or brief behavioral therapy most likely to help them.
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.