# A pilot trial of health coaching to improve functioning and reduce suicide risk among reintegrating Veterans

> **NIH VA I01** · PORTLAND VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2022 · —

## Abstract

Background: Veterans’ suicide risk is highest during the first year after military service separation. This
heightened suicide risk has been associated with difficulties reintegrating into civilian life. Deficiencies in role
functioning (knowing who you are and where you are heading in life) is one of the most commonly reported
challenges during reintegration. Role functioning is critical for optimal functioning in adult life roles (e.g.,
employment) and it is predictive of suicidal ideation and attempts. However, there are no evidence-based
interventions that address role functioning to reduce suicide risk and improve functioning in adult life roles.
Significance: The importance of reaching Veterans proximal to service separation outside of traditional clinic
settings is clear; Veterans’ risk for suicide is highest within the first year of service separation and Veterans are
not well-connected to VA care or other services during this time period. Health coaching is a non-clinical health
behavior change modality that is designed to improve role functioning and can be delivered virtually (via
telephone/video). Although health coaching has been embraced by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA),
no rigorous, fully powered trials have examined the effectiveness of health coaching. Virtually-delivered health
coaching may be an easily scalable, low-cost approach to reach reintegrating Veterans outside of clinic
settings to reduce suicide risk and improve functioning in adult life roles.
Innovation: No studies have examined the use of health coaching among reintegrating Veterans outside of the
clinic setting. This study’s strategic use of virtually-delivered health coaching builds on VHA’s investment in this
non-clinical modality that has the potential to reduce suicide risk during a high-risk transition period.
Specific Aims: This pilot study will 1) Examine the feasibility of study procedures and acceptability of the
health coaching intervention among reintegrating Veterans; 2) Evaluate measures of mediators and outcomes
for suitability in a future confirmatory efficacy trial; and 3) Determine barriers and facilitators of implementation
of health coaching among reintegrating Veterans.
Methodology: We will enroll a national sample of 94 Veterans within three months of military service
separation and follow them for 9 months, capturing their first year of separation. Participants will be
randomized to health coaching + enhanced usual care (EUC) or EUC only. The intervention group will receive
up to 12 health coaching sessions over the phone or via video (per participant preference). All participants will
receive a booklet about VA benefits and services, organized by functional domains, as an enhancement to
“usual care.” Participants will complete self-report assessments at baseline, mid-intervention (month 2), post-
intervention (month 4), and follow-up (month 9). Approximately 30 participants will complete qualitative
interviews on their experiences...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10422365
- **Project number:** 1I01RX003704-01A2
- **Recipient organization:** PORTLAND VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Lauren M Denneson
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-04-01 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10422365

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10422365, A pilot trial of health coaching to improve functioning and reduce suicide risk among reintegrating Veterans (1I01RX003704-01A2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10422365. Licensed CC0.

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