Enhancing Social Connectedness Among Veterans at High Risk for Suicide through Community Engagement

这项HSR&D职业发展奖-2提案的目的是促进Jason Chen博士的过渡 进入独立的、退伍军人精神健康服务研究生涯，专注于干预开发 有自杀风险的退伍军人。该项目的目标是开发一种多成分干预，专注于 通过支持增加最近住院精神病的退伍军人之间的社会联系 参与社区活动。这项干预将由VHA临床资深人员(例如 精神病学家、行政人员)和社区(如非营利组织、家庭)利益攸关方。研究 计划：尽管已经采取了多项国家努力来解决退伍军人自杀问题，但自杀率仍然存在 很高。系统性审查发现，几乎没有有效降低自杀风险的干预措施。一件有希望的事 需要干预的领域是社会联系，这已被确定为一个强有力的保护因素。然而， 很少有干预措施直接针对高危个人的社会联系。越来越多的老兵 参与社区活动可能是改善社会联系困难的一种方式。海流 该项目提出了以下研究目标：1)确定退伍军人当前的行为、需求和偏好 对于精神病住院后的社区参与，2)确定VHA工作人员和社区 与精神病患者退伍军人社区参与相关的利益相关者感知和感知需求 住院，以及3)开发和试点多成分、同伴支持促进的干预措施，以增加 自杀死亡风险增加的退伍军人的社会联系。这些项目的预期结果 目的包括为退伍军人管理局和社区利益攸关方提供临床工具包、学术手稿和演示文稿， 以及在CDA获奖期内提交的两份HSR&D IIR。职业规划：陈博士有 组建了一个指导团队，将支持他作为退伍军人管理局精神健康服务研究人员的发展。 团队成员包括：Steven Dobscha，医学博士(主要导师)，Julie Lowery，博士(共同导师； 实施科学/定性方法)，Paul Pfeiffer，医学博士，硕士(共同导师；同伴支持干预 开发)，Sarah Ono博士(顾问；资深参与/定性方法)和Alan Teo，医学博士， MS(咨询师；社会支持)。陈博士还将拥有三个运营合作伙伴/顾问：Aimee Johnson，LCSW(心理健康和自杀预防办公室)，Tracy Weistreich，博士(社区办公室) 参与/同情干预中心)和CPSC(同伴支持主管)的Jason Zimmerman。Dr。 陈和他的导师团队制定了以下培训目标，与他的研究目标一致： 1)发展高级质量卫生服务研究技能，2)获得干预发展和 进行临床试验的评估技能，3)获得实施科学的教学和应用培训， 以及4)在项目开发方面获得进一步的能力，以支持退伍军人管理局与社区的有效合作 包括同行的支持。陈博士将通过课程作业、导师/顾问来实现这些培训目标 会议，并在CDA研究活动期间进行应用培训。在完成这些培训目标后， 陈博士将做好充分准备，成为独立的退伍军人事务部HSR&D精神健康服务研究员 利用定性方法、临床试验、实施科学和程序开发方面的专业知识 以加强目前退伍军人预防自杀的努力。

The objective of this HSR&D Career Development Award-2 Proposal is to facilitate Dr. Jason Chen's transition into an independent, VA mental health services research career focused on intervention development for Veterans at high-risk of suicide. The goal of the project is to develop a multicomponent intervention focused on increasing social connectedness among Veterans with recent psychiatric hospitalizations through supported participation in community activities. This intervention will be informed by input from Veteran, VHA clinical (e.g. psychiatrists, administrators), and community (e.g. non-profit organizations, family) stakeholders. Research Plan: Although multiple national efforts have been introduced to address Veteran suicide, suicide rates remain high. Systematic reviews have identified few interventions that effectively decrease suicide risk. One promising area for intervention is social connectedness which has been identified as a strong protective factor. However, few interventions directly target social connectedness among at-risk individuals. Increasing Veteran participation in community activities may be one way to improve social connectedness difficulties. The current project proposes the following research aims: 1) Identify Veterans' current behaviors, needs, and preferences for community engagement following psychiatric hospitalization, 2) Identify VHA staff and community stakeholder perceptions and perceived needs related to Veteran community engagement following psychiatric hospitalization, and 3) Develop and pilot a multicomponent, peer-support facilitated intervention for increasing social connectedness among Veterans at elevated risk of death by suicide. Expected outcomes from these aims include clinical toolkits for VA and community stakeholders, academic manuscripts and presentations, and two HSR&D IIR submissions over the course of the CDA award period. Career Plan: Dr. Chen has assembled a mentorship team who will support his development as a VA mental health services researcher. Team members include: Steven Dobscha, MD (Primary Mentor), Julie Lowery, PhD (Co-Mentor; Implementation Science/Qualitative Methods), Paul Pfeiffer, MD, MS (Co-Mentor; Peer Support Intervention Development), Sarah Ono, PhD (Consultant; Veteran Engagement/Qualitative Methods), and Alan Teo, MD, MS (Consultant; Social Support). Dr. Chen will also have three Operations Partners/Consultants: Aimee Johnson, LCSW (Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention), Tracy Weistreich, PhD (Office of Community Engagement/Center for Compassionate Intervention), and Jason Zimmerman, CPSC (Peer Support Lead). Dr. Chen and his mentorship team have developed the following training goals which align with his research aims: 1) Develop advanced qualitative health services research skills, 2) Acquire intervention development and evaluation skills for conducting clinical trials, 3) Gain didactic and applied training in implementation science, and 4) Achieve further competence in program development to support effective VA-community collaborations including peer support. Dr. Chen will achieve these training goals through coursework, mentorship/consultant meetings, and applied training during CDA research activities. Following the completion of these training goals, Dr. Chen will be well-prepared to become an independent VA HSR&D mental health services researcher with expertise in utilizing qualitative methodology, clinical trials, implementation science, and program development to enhance current Veteran suicide prevention efforts.