Improving suicide prevention for women veterans using the Veterans Crisis Line
Official title: Strengthening Suicide Prevention Efforts for Women Veterans through the Veterans Crisis Line
Funded at Philadelphia VA Medical Center · NIH-11145691 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to improve support for women veterans who contact the Veterans Crisis Line for help with suicidal thoughts by analyzing their calls and medical records, and talking to them about their experiences, so we can create better services that meet their specific needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Philadelphia VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2024 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01HX002983-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11145691 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women veterans who have contacted the Veterans Crisis Line and may be at risk for suicide.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not veterans or who have not engaged with the Veterans Crisis Line may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance suicide prevention efforts specifically for women veterans who reach out to the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL). It will analyze data collected from VCL calls and merge it with medical records from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to identify unique characteristics and needs of women veterans at risk of suicide. Additionally, in-depth interviews will be conducted with women veterans who have used the VCL to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences and challenges. The goal is to develop tailored recommendations for crisis intervention services that effectively address the needs of this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved suicide prevention strategies and resources specifically designed for women veterans.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on suicide prevention among male veterans, this approach focusing on women veterans is relatively novel and aims to fill a critical gap.
Where this research is happening
-
Philadelphia VA Medical Center
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dichter, Melissa E — Philadelphia VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Dichter, Melissa E
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Targeted online suicide prevention for Veterans
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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.