Healthcare Experiences of LGBTQ+ Veterans
Researchers at VA San Diego are conducting an online survey among LGBTQ+ Veterans with a history of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in the past year to learn more about their experiences with healthcare.
Fast Facts
Identify as LGBTQ+
U.S. Veteran
Live in the U.S.
Conducted Online
Study Background
Help us learn more about your experiences with healthcare services as an LGBTQ+ Veteran.
We are interested in learning about the healthcare experiences of LGBTQ+ Veterans so that we may develop programs that better meet their needs. We are especially interested in seeing how effective social media is in reaching Veterans, including those who do not engage with the VA.
Our study involves a 15-20 minute survey that assesses suicidal thoughts and behaviors, mental and physical health, engagement in VA and non-VA services, perceptions of healthcare needs, barriers to care, and demographic characteristics.
Participants may also complete an optional 60-90 minute compensated follow-up interview, which will ask about their impressions of VA mental healthcare, as well as factors that prevent them from or encourage them toward engaging with the VA.
We hope that this study will lend insights on ways to reach and engage Veterans like you, as well as guide efforts to enhance and expand suicide prevention clinical and outreach services. See if you’re eligible today.
We are only requesting your name and contact information to contact you and for any potential compensation. Your participation will not be tied to your medical record.
Study Background
Help us learn more about your experiences with healthcare services as an LGBTQ+ Veteran.
We are interested in learning about the healthcare experiences of LGBTQ+ Veterans so that we may develop programs that better meet their needs. We are especially interested in seeing how effective social media is in reaching Veterans, including those who do not engage with the VA.
Our study involves a 15-20 minute survey that assesses suicidal thoughts and behaviors, mental and physical health, engagement in VA and non-VA services, perceptions of healthcare needs, barriers to care, and demographic characteristics.
Participants may also complete an optional 60-90 minute compensated follow-up interview, which will ask about their impressions of VA mental healthcare, as well as factors that prevent them from or encourage them toward engaging with the VA.
We hope that this study will lend insights on ways to reach and engage Veterans like you, as well as guide efforts to enhance and expand suicide prevention clinical and outreach services. See if you’re eligible today.
We are only requesting your name and contact information to contact you and for any potential compensation. Your participation will not be tied to your medical record.
Additional Information
The purpose of the research is to understand the mental health and healthcare experiences of LGBTQ+ Veterans who have
experienced suicidal thoughts and behaviors at any point in the past year. By doing this study, we hope to learn what
factors affect the decision to engage in mental healthcare at the VA or otherwise.
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18+ years old
- U.S. Veteran
- Identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community or have a sexual or gender identity that differs from what has been expected of you
- Live in the U.S.
- Experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviors in the past year
- Comfortable with written/spoken English
All aspects of the study are virtual. If eligible, you will be contacted by study staff to schedule and complete a phone screen and informed consent session via Microsoft Teams. Then, you will be sent a link via email or text to the study survey, which you may complete on your own time (about 15-20 min). All survey responses will be kept anonymous and confidential. If you indicate willingness to participate in the optional follow-up interview, you may be contacted by study staff to schedule and complete a 60-90 min interview, again over Microsoft Teams.
You will not be compensated for participating in the online survey. If you participate in the optional follow-up 60-90-minute interview, you will be compensated up to $50 for participating.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.
- How do I know that this study is legitimate?
- This study is conducted at the Veterans Affairs San Diego study, IRB protocol #H230147. You may contact the VA San Diego’s Institutional Review Board at (858) 642-6362 if you have questions.
- If I sign up, will this study show in my VA medical records?
- No. Signing up for and/or participating in our study will not be documented in any of your VA medical records.
- If I sign up, do I have to participate?
- No. You have the right to choose not to participate in any study activity or completely withdraw from continued participation at any point without penalty or jeopardy to the medical care you will receive at the VA or loss of benefits to which you are entitled.
- Who will have access to my data if I participate?
- Information about you is handled as confidentially as possible. Any research records that identify you will be kept only as files behind the secure VA San Diego Healthcare System computer firewall, to which only approved study staff will have access. Any presentations or publications from this study will not identify you.
- Who can I reach out to if I have questions?
- Please contact the study coordinator Lysette DeSilva at lysette.desilva@va.gov or (858) 552-8585 ext. 5353 for assistance.
