Peer Intervention to Improve Access Among Rural Women Veterans With Psychological Distress and Unmet Social Needs (EMBER)
Psychological Distress, Depression, PTSD

About this trial
This is an interventional supportive care trial for Psychological Distress focused on measuring Peer-delivered Intervention, Psychological Distress, Unmet social needs, Rural Women Veterans, PTSD, Depression, Suicide risk, Telehealth, Anxiety
Eligibility Criteria
Aim 1 (Focus groups and interviews with women Veterans, Peer Specialists, and Providers to assess adaptations needed for PSP prior to the intervention trial)
Inclusion Criteria:
Veteran Inclusion:
- Veteran status (non-Veterans will not be enrolled in this trial)
- Identifies as a woman or as gender fluid
- Resides in a rural or highly rural area
- Psychological distress in the past 6 months as evidenced by a diagnosis in the electronic health record or elevated score on the PHQ-9, GAD-7 and/or PCL
- At least one social need in the past 6 months on the PRAPARE
- Ability to communicate in English including reading, writing, hearing, and speaking well enough to complete research and intervention tasks.
Providers Inclusion Criteria:
• Any provider (physician, social worker, therapist, etc. with experience working with rural women Veterans) employed by the VHA
Peers inclusion criteria:
•Any peer specialist employed by the VHA who identifies as a woman or as gender fluid
Veteran Exclusion Criteria:
- Any Veteran with high suicide or homicide risk and/or evaluated by the PI or another clinician to be clinically unstable
- Veterans with impairment that would not allow them to engage in study activities including active psychosis, cognitive deficits, severe substance use requiring detoxification (documented in electronic health record or reported by a primary care clinician team member)
Aim 2 (Randomized controlled trial of PSP compared to TR)
Inclusion:
- Veteran status (non-Veterans will not be enrolled in this trial)
- Identifies as a woman or as gender fluid
- Resides in a rural or highly rural area
- Veteran must reside in Southeastern Texas, Arkansas or Louisiana
- Psychological distress in the past 6 months as evidenced by a diagnosis in the electronic health record or elevated score on the PHQ-9, GAD-7 and/or PCL
- At least one social need in the past 6 months on the PRAPARE
- Ability to communicate in English including reading, writing, hearing, and speaking well enough to complete research and intervention tasks.
Exclusion:
- Any Veteran with high suicide or homicide risk and/or evaluated by the PI or another clinician to be clinically unstable
- Veterans with impairment that would not allow them to engage in study activities including active psychosis, cognitive deficits, severe substance use requiring detoxification (documented in EMR or reported by a PACT member)
- Veterans who have current VA or non-VA peer support engagement (an appointment within the last month and/or additional follow-up scheduled)
Sites / Locations
- Syracuse VA Medical Center
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Personalized Support for Progress (PSP)
Tailored Referral (TR)
PSP includes an initial 60-minute video or phone appointment and then follow-up tailored to the Veteran's preferences. The Peer Specialist guides the Veteran through a card-sorting task to prioritize concerns and then create a personalized care plan. The Peer then provides up to six months of outreach and support to implement the care plan. At the end of the six months, the Veteran and peer review the plan, determine next steps and consider other supports and resources to sustain progress made.
The Tailored Referral (TR) comparator will be comprised of written or emailed information describing resources and contact information for VHA and local social and mental health resources. Examples include information about the appropriate office/person to reach within the local VA or area, help scheduling an appointment, or information for a same-day Primary Care - Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) assessment.