Whole Health STEPS for Veteran Mental Health

Overseen By Emily M Johnson, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

Must not be taking: Psychotropic medications

Disqualifiers: Severe impairment, Communication inability, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 4 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new support program called Whole Health STEPS for Veterans receiving primary care at participating sites who have mental health concerns but are not actively in treatment. The program uses peer support to help Veterans pursue wellness goals, adjusting support based on their progress. It targets Veterans with mild functional impairment who screen positive on a mental health check during primary care visits.

As an unphased trial, this study allows Veterans to contribute to innovative mental health support strategies tailored to their needs.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, recent changes to psychotropic medications (drugs affecting mood, perception, or behavior) may exclude you from participating.

What prior data suggests that Whole Health STEPS is safe for Veterans with mental health concerns?

Research has shown that Veterans generally have positive experiences with Whole Health STEPS. In a trial program, Veterans reported significant improvements in mental health after joining VA coaching programs. Another study found that Veterans with PTSD who used Whole Health services experienced slight improvements in physical and mental well-being over six months. Additionally, Veterans managed stress better and felt the care focused more on their needs. Overall, these findings suggest that the services are safe and helpful for improving mental health. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Whole Health STEPS for veteran mental health because it offers a holistic approach to treating mental health conditions, which is different from traditional methods like medication and therapy. This program emphasizes self-care, personalized health planning, and complementary therapies, aiming to empower veterans to take charge of their own well-being. By focusing on the whole person rather than just symptoms, Whole Health STEPS has the potential to improve mental health outcomes and overall quality of life for veterans in a unique and comprehensive way.

What evidence suggests that Whole Health STEPS is effective for improving mental health outcomes in Veterans?

Research has shown that Whole Health STEPS can greatly improve mental health for Veterans. One study found that Veterans who joined a Whole Health coaching program reported improved mental and emotional well-being. Another study highlighted that this approach increased participation in proven treatments, especially for those dealing with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Veterans in Whole Health programs have experienced better mental health and reduced stress. This method combines physical, mental, and social support, which can lead to better overall health and quality of life. Participants in this trial will either immediately receive Whole Health STEPS or be placed on a waitlist to receive it after a defined waiting period. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Emily M. Johnson, PhD

Principal Investigator

Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Veterans enrolled in primary care with mild functional impairment and mental health concerns, who are not currently receiving intensive mental health services. They must be able to communicate in English and have no recent changes to psychotropic medications.

Inclusion Criteria

Enrolled in primary care at a participating site

Veteran status

I have some difficulty doing everyday tasks.

Exclusion Criteria

I cannot communicate in English by myself.

I prefer to be referred directly to a mental health care provider.

I have recently changed my mental health medications.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive Whole Health STEPS, a structured package of services with peer support to improve functional outcomes

4 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Whole Health STEPS

Trial Overview The trial evaluates Whole Health STEPS, a support program led by peers aiming to help Veterans achieve wellness goals using the Whole Health model. The level of peer support varies based on the Veteran's progress.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Whole Health STEPS Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will immediately receive Whole Health STEPS.

Group II: Waitlist Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive Whole Health STEPS after a defined waiting period.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,691

Recruited

3,759,000+

Citations

1. hsrd.research.va.gov hsrd.research.va.gov/publications/portfolio_review/whole_health.cfm

Whole Health - VA Health Systems Research This study found that surveyed Veterans who participated in a pilot VA WH coaching program showed significant improvements in mental health, ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229922000863

Utilization and outcomes of a Whole Health model of care ... The aim of this project was to investigate utilization and outcomes of WH programming among Veterans with psychiatric disorders.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10651564/

a Gateway to Evidence-Based Mental Health Treatment - PMC WH use was associated with increased engagement in EBPs among veterans with depression, anxiety, and/or PTSD. Future interventions intended to promote veteran ...

4. va.gov va.gov/wholehealth/professional-resources/clinician-tools/Evidence-Based-Research.asp

Evidence-Based Research - Whole Health Studies in the VA demonstrate improvements in Veterans' engagement, smoking cessation, mental health, stress, and well-being.

5. journal-veterans-studies.org journal-veterans-studies.org/en/articles/10.21061/jvs.v11i2.775

Holistic Approaches to Veteran Well-Being Holistic care can coordinate physical, mental, and social support, leading to better health outcomes and overall quality of life (Myers et al., ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11139595/

Examining the Veterans Health Administration Whole ... Veterans with PTSD who used Whole Health services experienced small improvements over 6 months in physical (Cohen's d = .12) and mental (Cohen's d = .15) health ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550830723002859

Veterans' lived experiences with the VA's Whole Health ... Three categories emerged from the data including: improved mental health symptoms, mindfulness, and coping skills. Veterans reported decreased depressive ...

8. va.gov va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/features/Study_Shows_the_Success_of_Whole_Health.asp

Study Shows the Success of Whole Health Veterans who used Whole Health services also reported being able to manage stress better and noted the care they received as being more patient ...