STEP-Home workshop to help recently transitioned Veterans reintegrate and lower suicide risk
A mixed methods pilot trial of the STEP-Home workshop to improve reintegration and reduce suicide risk for recently transitioned Veterans
This project offers a skills-focused video telehealth workshop for recently separated Veterans to support reintegration, strengthen social connections, and reduce suicide risk.
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-11220701 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be invited to take part in STEP-Home, a non-clinical, skills-focused workshop delivered by video telehealth that teaches practical coping, social connection, and reintegration strategies. The team will adapt the workshop specifically for Veterans in their first year after leaving service and add targeted suicide-prevention content. Participants will provide feedback through interviews and complete standardized questionnaires about functioning, social support, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors. This mixed-methods pilot will refine the program and how it is delivered to better reach Veterans who are not engaged in traditional mental health care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Veterans who recently left active service (especially within the first year), are struggling with reintegration or low social support, and are not currently engaged in regular mental health treatment.
Not a fit: Veterans needing immediate intensive psychiatric care (for example active suicidal intent requiring crisis-level intervention), those with uncontrolled severe psychiatric conditions, or those already well connected to VA mental health services may not benefit from this non-clinical workshop.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this workshop could help recently separated Veterans connect with supports, improve daily functioning, and reduce suicide risk during the high-risk transition period.
How similar studies have performed: STEP-Home is an evidence-based rehabilitation workshop with positive prior results in Veterans, but adapting it specifically for recent transition and suicide prevention is a novel application.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- VA Boston Health Care System — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fortier, Catherine Brawn — VA Boston Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Fortier, Catherine Brawn
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.