Using direct advertising to help Veterans access effective PTSD therapies
Official title: Direct to consumer marketing to engage Veterans in evidence-based psychotherapies for PTSD
Funded at Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center · NIH-10989867 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to better encourage Veterans with PTSD to try helpful therapies by using friendly ads that tackle common concerns, like stigma and lack of information, to see which messages work best in getting them to seek treatment and improve their lives.
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 | October 1, 2022 |
| Project end | September 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01HX003475-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10989867 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans diagnosed with PTSD who may be hesitant to seek treatment due to stigma or lack of information.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Veterans or those who do not have PTSD may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to improve the use of evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) for Veterans suffering from PTSD by employing direct-to-consumer marketing strategies. The approach focuses on overcoming barriers such as stigma and lack of knowledge about these therapies through targeted advertisements. By comparing different marketing messages, the research seeks to identify the most effective ways to encourage Veterans to seek treatment. The ultimate goal is to enhance the initiation of EBPs, thereby improving the quality of life for those affected by PTSD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the number of Veterans accessing effective treatments for PTSD, leading to better mental health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While direct-to-consumer marketing has shown success in promoting psychotropic medications, this specific approach for EBPs in mental health is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hundt, Natalie E — Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hundt, Natalie E
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how PTSD affects self-control and brain function
Researchers are studying how PTSD changes the brain’s control over thoughts and actions, and how this might affect Veterans’ daily lives and responses to treatment.
-
Ketamine to boost fear extinction and memory on PTSD patients
A study testing whether ketamine can help people with PTSD better relearn and forget fear when given in a guided treatment plan.
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Treating PTSD and opioid use disorder in residential care with Written Exposure Therapy (WEST)
A short, patient-friendly plan to adapt a proven PTSD therapy for people with opioid use disorder in residential treatment and test its practicality and impact.
-
Dynamic PTSD-Related Cognitive Risk in Aging WTC Responders
This project follows World Trade Center responders as they age to understand how PTSD symptoms relate to changes in thinking skills over time.
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Identifying brain proteins linked to PTSD and alcohol use disorder
Researchers are studying brain proteins that may contribute to PTSD and alcohol use disorder in US veterans to find new ways to help people who struggle with both conditions.
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Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy for Veterans with Social Anxiety and PTSD Symptoms
A clinical trial tests whether a flexible brain-behavior therapy helps veterans with social anxiety and PTSD symptoms feel better and engage more in daily life.
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.