Veteran Sponsorship for Suicide Prevention

This trial aims to assist young veterans at high risk of suicide during their first year after leaving the military. It tests whether connecting veterans with peer sponsors and tailored mental health services can improve their transition to civilian life. Participants will be divided into three groups: one with no extra support, one with peer sponsors (Onward Ops), and one with both sponsors and additional VA care (VA stepped care services). Veterans planning to transition from specific military bases and identified as high-risk are well-suited for this trial. The goal is to assess how these supports affect mental health and the use of VA resources.

As an unphased trial, this study provides veterans with a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance support systems for others in similar situations.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

Research has shown that the Veteran Sponsorship Initiative (VSI) is generally well-received by participants. Early studies indicate that those paired with sponsors face fewer challenges adjusting to civilian life and report less depression, suggesting a positive effect on mental health without major safety issues.

Additionally, the Onward Ops peer sponsorship and community support program has successfully helped service members transition from military to civilian life. Over 23,000 service members have been checked for suicide risk, with many doing well after leaving the service. This suggests that the program is both safe and helpful.

Past data from the VA highlights a structured approach to preventing suicide through VA stepped care services, including treatments that involve medication. This service aims to enhance mental health support and is part of the VA's ongoing efforts to lower suicide risk, with no significant negative events reported.

Researchers are excited about these treatments for suicide prevention among veterans because they explore new support structures beyond typical mental health therapies. Unlike conventional treatments that often rely solely on medication or individual therapy, the Veteran Sponsorship Initiative (VSI) incorporates peer sponsorship and community support, providing a unique layer of social connection and engagement. Additionally, the VSI+ arm adds VA stepped care services, which offer tailored interventions based on each veteran's changing needs. This comprehensive approach aims to address the complex social and emotional factors involved in suicide prevention, offering hope for more effective and personalized support strategies for veterans.

Research has shown that connecting veterans with peer sponsors can help lower the risk of suicide. An early study found that veterans with sponsors had fewer problems adjusting to civilian life and reported feeling less depressed and at risk of suicide. In this trial, participants in the Veteran Sponsorship Initiative Base arm will receive Onward Ops peer sponsor and community services. Meanwhile, the Veteran Sponsorship Initiative+ arm will receive both Onward Ops peer sponsor and community services, as well as VA stepped care services. National reports have also linked the VA's step-by-step care services to lower suicide rates among veterans. Overall, these programs aim to provide essential support during the tough transition to civilian life, a crucial time for preventing suicide.¹³⁴⁶⁷