The proposed project is a randomized controlled trial that seeks to test the effectiveness of a peer-facilitated, patient navigation program to improve mental healthcare experiences and outcomes for under-supported Veterans from diverse cultural backgrounds and communities. PARTNER-MH is a structured, telehealth-based intervention delivered by VHA peer specialists over a three-month period. It integrates two evidence-based care delivery models, peer support and patient navigation, and addresses three primary contributors to healthcare disparities: unmet social needs, low patient engagement in care, and unproductive patient-clinician communication. Findings from this study will support ongoing efforts to improve mental health services for all Veterans in the VHA.
Member of a racial or ethnic minoritized group
Veterans who are currently receiving or waiting to receive treatment in the outpatient mental health clinics or affiliated CBOCS at the study sites
waiting to start treatment (e.g., Veterans who were referred to treatment, assigned a provider, or recommended a treatment option that includes either pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, or both but have not yet started treatment at time of enrollment)
Veterans who are already receiving ongoing treatment - pharmacotherapy, individual, and/or group psychotherapy, but initiated treatment within 9 months of study enrollment date
Patients needing emergency psychiatric services of hospitalization due to suicidal ideation or recent suicide attempt (within past 2 months), have severe psychiatric symptoms (e.g., active psychosis), or a diagnosis of severe mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia)
Severe cognitive, hearing, or speech impairment (e.g., dementia, severe TBI)
Severe physical illness that impedes study participation
Recent hospitalization for substance use disorder (SUD) for the past 2 months or severe SUD symptoms based on the screen tools (AUDIC-C, DAST-10) that may require higher level of care and peer support
VA Office of Research and Development
Lead sponsor
Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Collaborator
Indiana University
Collaborator
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
Collaborator
White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Collaborator