Using mindfulness techniques to help veterans manage pain and reduce suicide risk

Using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to manage pain and mitigate suicide risk in Veterans

NIH-funded research Veterans Health Research Institute of Central New York, INC. · NIH-10794226

This study is testing a new mindfulness program to help veterans who are living with chronic pain and may be feeling suicidal, to see if it’s a good fit for them and can improve their overall well-being.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVeterans Health Research Institute of Central New York, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Syracuse, United States)
Project IDNIH-10794226 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) manual specifically designed for veterans dealing with chronic pain and at risk for suicide. The study will assess how feasible and acceptable this treatment is for participants, providing valuable insights for future larger trials. By addressing both pain management and mental health, the research aims to improve the overall functioning of veterans. The project recognizes the unique challenges faced by veterans and seeks to create a combined treatment approach that has not been extensively studied before.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are veterans experiencing chronic pain and at risk for suicide.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have chronic pain or are not at risk for suicide may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management and reduced suicide risk among veterans.

How similar studies have performed: While mindfulness-based cognitive therapy has shown promise in separate studies for pain and suicide risk, this combined approach is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Syracuse, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Mental health disordersPsychiatric DiseasePsychiatric Disorderpsychological disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.