UPDATES FROM VETERAN HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (VA) RESEARCH INITIATIVES

For 100 years, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has been at the forefront of biomedical and behavioral health research, generating discoveries that have transformed the care not only of Veterans but of the broader American public. This presentation provides an update on current VHA research priorities in psychiatry, psychopharmacology, suicide prevention and substance use disorders. The VHA operates one of the largest integrated healthcare research enterprises in the world, serving over 9.1 million enrolled Veterans across 170 medical centers and more than 1,190 outpatient clinics. Mental health conditions— including PTSD, major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders—represent among the most prevalent and clinically challenging conditions in this population. Approximately 2.8 million Veterans, representing 14 percent of the total U.S. Veteran population, reported at least one substance use disorder in the past year, underscoring the urgency of continued research investment. This talk will highlight key VHA research infrastructure, including the Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers (MIRECCs), the PTSD Psychopharmacology Initiative, collaborations with the Department of Defense, and Health Systems Research and Development programs targeting implementation of evidence-based treatments. Emerging areas, including novel pharmacotherapies for PTSD, psychedelic compounds, and opioid safety initiatives, will be discussed. Attendees will gain a current perspective on how this century-old federal research enterprise continues to shape psychiatric practice and CNS drug development.

Learning Objective 1: The participant will be able to broadly describe the current research initiatives supported by the VA on topics of understanding and treating mental health conditions and substance use disorders.

Learning Objective 2: The participant will gain an understanding of the VA research portfolio and mechanism of funding opportunities.

References

Hoffmire CA, Denneson LM, Monteith LL, et al. Accelerating Research on Suicide Risk and Prevention in Women Veterans Through Research-Operations Partnerships. Med Care. 2021;59:S11-S16. doi:10.1097/MLR.0000000000001432 Woodward EN, Oliver KA, Drummond KL, et al. Transitioning an implementation research intervention to a sustained clinical service: Telehealth primary care mental health integration implementation in Veterans Health Administration. Psychol Serv. 2025;22(4):641-654. doi:10.1037/ser0000903