VetEd App for Mental Health Support in Student Veterans

Overseen By Paula Mroz, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

Disqualifiers: Alcohol, Drug use, Cognitive impairment, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

13 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to create and test a mobile app called VetEd to support student Veterans facing mental health challenges, such as PTSD and depression. The app will assist these students in transitioning smoothly into academic life by providing resources to enhance academic skills and manage mental health. The trial will focus on Veterans currently enrolled in at least two college courses, who own a smartphone, and report difficulties with their coursework. Participants will use the VetEd Mobile Application for four weeks to determine if it improves their academic functioning and overall quality of life.

As an unphased trial, this study offers Veterans a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative solutions for mental health and academic success.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on using a mobile app for support, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

What prior data suggests that the VetEd app is safe for student Veterans with mental health disorders?

Research shows that complete safety information for the VetEd mobile app is not yet available. However, this app aims to assist student Veterans with mental health issues. As a mobile app, not a drug or surgery, it generally poses a low risk of physical side effects. Similar apps have supported the mental health of military members and Veterans, emphasizing ease of use and safety. Although more research is needed to fully understand its safety, the app is likely well-tolerated. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike the standard treatments for mental health support, which often involve in-person therapy or medication, the VetEd Mobile Application offers a digital, self-guided approach tailored specifically for student veterans. This app is unique because it provides mental health resources and exercises that users can access anytime and anywhere, fitting into busy student schedules. Researchers are excited about the potential for the app to empower veterans to manage their mental health independently, offering immediate support without the need for appointments or prescriptions.

What evidence suggests that the VetEd app is effective for supporting student Veterans with mental health disorders?

Research has shown that mobile apps designed for Veterans, such as the VetEd app, positively impact mental health. For example, apps like PTSD Coach and Virtual Hope Box help manage PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) symptoms. These apps are user-friendly and offer crucial support for academic and mental health challenges. In this trial, participants will use the VetEd mobile app over four weeks. Early findings suggest that VetEd helps student Veterans adjust to academic life by providing personalized resources and support. By building on successful past programs, VetEd aims to enhance academic skills and mental health management for student Veterans. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Erin D. Reilly, PhD

Principal Investigator

VA Bedford HealthCare System, Bedford, MA

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for student veterans who are currently enrolled in at least two higher education courses, own a smartphone, can read English, and have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder according to DSM-5. They should self-report difficulties with course activities but not have severe substance use disorders or recent suicidal ideation/hospitalization.

Inclusion Criteria

I am having trouble with my current course activities.

Willing and able to read in English

I understand and can agree to the study's procedures and risks.

Exclusion Criteria

I have not had severe thoughts of suicide or been hospitalized for psychiatric reasons in the last month.

Not currently enrolled as a student

Current or recent (within 1 month of study entry) moderate or severe DSM-5 alcohol or drug use disorder

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Usability Testing

Participants use the VetEd app at home and complete in-app tasks over a four-week period

4 weeks

Remote app usage

Follow-up

Participants are evaluated for app usefulness, effectiveness, learnability, satisfaction, and engagement

1 week

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• VetEd Mobile Application

Trial Overview The VetEd Mobile Application is being tested as an academic support tool for student veterans with mental health issues. It aims to help them transition into the student role by providing resources for educational planning, academic skills enhancement, and mental health management.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: VetEd Mobile Application Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants be provided with the VetEd mobile app, with instructions on how to utilize the app at home over a four-week period.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,691

Recruited

3,759,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The systematic review analyzed 22 articles on 8 mental health apps developed by the Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, highlighting their feasibility and acceptability among users, including patients and clinicians.

Evidence supporting the efficacy and effectiveness of these apps is limited, with only two apps (PTSD Coach and Virtual Hope Box) showing promising results, suggesting that clinicians should be cautious in promoting these tools until more robust evidence is available.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense mental health apps: A systematic literature review. Gould, CE., Kok, BC., Ma, VK., et al.[2019]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05344092

Designing a Mobile App to Support Academic Success for ... The goal of this project is to develop and evaluate a comprehensive mobile app for student Veterans with mental health disorders. This intervention will use the ...

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/early-phase-1-substance-related-disorders-5-2023-46d2e

VetEd App for Mental Health Support in Student Veterans This trial aims to develop and test a mobile app called VetEd for student Veterans with mental health issues. The app helps them plan their education, ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11555822/

Use of mobile applications and mental health services ... Many of these apps provide support for mental health needs for veterans living with symptoms such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

4. ptsd.va.gov ptsd.va.gov/professional/articles/article-pdf/id51537.pdf

Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense mental health ... In the present systematic review, we summarize the feasibility, usability, efficacy, and effectiveness of mental health-related apps created by the Veterans ...

5. mental.jmir.org mental.jmir.org/2024/1/e54007/

Veteran Experiences With an mHealth App to Support ... Studies evaluating app effectiveness have shown positive outcomes; for example, the VHA's PTSD Coach and Virtual Hope Box, two of their most ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12560963/

Digital Health Interventions for Military Members, Veterans ... Accessible mental health support is essential for military members (MMs), veterans, and public safety personnel (PSP) who are at an increased ...

7. mhealth.jmir.org mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e65149

Digital Health Interventions for Military Members, Veterans ... Background: Accessible mental health support is essential for military members (MMs), veterans, and public safety personnel (PSP) who are at ...

8. cdn.clinicaltrials.gov cdn.clinicaltrials.gov/large-docs/92/NCT05344092/ICF_000.pdf

Designing a Mobile App to Support Academic Success for ... This study is focused on developing a mobile health intervention to help student Veterans also managing mental health issues to improve ...