Support Group for Veterans with Psychosis

(VVV Trial)

Overseen By Sonya E Gabrielian, MD MPH

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

Disqualifiers: Substance-induced psychosis, Neurological disease, Head injury, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a support group designed to assist veterans with serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder with psychosis. The goal is to determine if participating in virtual group sessions can enhance social connections and reduce feelings of isolation and self-stigma. Veterans experiencing symptoms like hallucinations or delusions might find this trial particularly beneficial. It provides an opportunity to join a community that understands these challenges and collaborates to improve daily life and well-being. As an unphased trial, this study offers veterans a unique chance to connect with others and enhance their quality of life through shared experiences.

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

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on providing support through group sessions rather than changing medication regimens.

What prior data suggests that this support group is safe for veterans with psychosis?

Research has shown that the Veteran Voices and Visions (VVV) support groups are generally safe for participants. This program helps veterans with serious mental health issues, especially those experiencing psychosis, by offering peer support and promoting social connections.

While specific data on negative effects for this program is lacking, support groups like VVV are usually well-received. They encourage open conversations and interactions among peers, which are typically low-risk. The goal is to reduce feelings of loneliness and self-judgment, creating a supportive community. Since this is a support group and not a medication or medical procedure, the chance of serious safety issues is low.

However, individual experiences can differ. Participants should discuss any concerns with the group leaders to ensure they feel comfortable and safe during the sessions. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Veteran Voices & Visions support group because it offers a novel approach to helping veterans with psychosis. Unlike standard treatments, which often focus on medication and one-on-one therapy, this support group emphasizes peer interaction and shared experiences. This method aims to create a sense of community and understanding among veterans, potentially leading to improved mental health outcomes and a stronger support network. By focusing on group dynamics and collective healing, the goal is to provide a more holistic and empowering experience for participants.

What evidence suggests that the "Veteran Voices and Visions" support group is effective for improving social integration in veterans with psychosis?

Research has shown that the Veteran Voices and Visions (VVV) support groups, which participants in this trial will experience, help reduce stress from hearing voices, negative thoughts about those voices, and the feeling that those voices have power over them. Participants have reported better social interactions and a decrease in feelings of hopelessness and low self-esteem. These groups also assist Veterans with psychosis by creating a supportive community, which can enhance their social connections. Studies highlight that this type of peer support holds promise for helping Veterans with serious mental health issues. Overall, VVV aims to help Veterans feel more connected and less alone. ^{4 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Ippolytos A Kalofonos, MD PhD MPH

Principal Investigator

VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, West Los Angeles, CA

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for veterans with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) who experience symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and social isolation. Participants must have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar with psychosis or depression with psychosis. Veterans cannot join if they've had a serious head injury causing unconsciousness over an hour or have significant neurological diseases or substance-induced psychosis.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia or bipolar with psychosis.

Exclusion Criteria

Substance-induced psychosis

History of serious head injury with loss of consciousness > 1 hour.

I have a serious nerve or brain condition.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in the Veteran Voices and Visions (VVV) group-based, peer specialist co-facilitated psychosocial intervention

12 weeks

Weekly virtual group sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in social integration and psychotic symptoms after the intervention

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Support group

Trial Overview The 'Veteran Voices and Visions' (VVV) program is being tested to help these veterans integrate socially. It's a support group co-led by mental health clinicians and peer specialists through online video conferences that aims to reduce distress and stigma while boosting self-confidence.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This is the experimental condition, testing the manual the investigators have developed.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,691

Recruited

3,759,000+

Citations

1. psychiatryonline.org psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.pn.2025.08.8.3

Veteran Voices and Visions Groups Offer Insight, Support, ... Kalofonos and his team found that group participants experienced a significant reduction in the perceived power of the voices, negative beliefs ...

2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37724417/

A pilot trial examining the effects of veteran voices and ... Overall, VVV groups reduced distress due to voices, negative beliefs about voices, and perceived power of voices. Conclusions: Study findings ...

3. cdn.clinicaltrials.gov cdn.clinicaltrials.gov/large-docs/74/NCT05562674/ICF_000.pdf

Impact of Veteran Voices & Visions Peer Support Groups on ... ... support group approaches may work for Veterans with psychosis. One support group approach focuses on healthy living and the other focuses on talking about ...

4. journals.sagepub.com journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00207640231196747

A pilot trial examining the effects of veteran voices and ... Group CBTp has shown efficacy at improving social functioning (Wykes et al., 2005), reducing feelings of hopelessness and low self-esteem ( ...

5. research.va.gov research.va.gov/about/funded_research/proj-details-FY2025.cfm?pid=751502

Impact of Veteran Voices & Visions Peer Support Groups ... Impact of Veteran Voices & Visions Peer Support Groups on Social Integration for Veterans with SMI/Psychosis. Principal Investigator ...

6. psychiatryonline.org psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.pn.2025.08.8.3

Veteran Voices and Visions Groups Offer Insight, Support ... A peer-led VA program is encouraging veterans with serious mental illness to openly explore their voices and visions with one another.

7. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/search/10E0CF0D4784C5DE7598B8961CAA4A01A2FFCEB861BF/project-details/11178013

Project Details ... Veteran Voices and Visions” (VVV). VVV targets Veterans with SMI who experience psychosis, a group particularly in need of support with social integration.

8. hss.semel.ucla.edu hss.semel.ucla.edu/coe-p4/

Center of Excellence - Veteran Voices and Visions This pilot study will develop a peer-facilitated group intervention to improve community integration and reduce self-stigma among Veterans experiencing ...