Letitia Travaglini, PhD; Christina Thai, PhD; Ralf Schneider, MA, CPRP

Stakeholder involvement in clinical and research programming is essential to ensuring that clinical programming and research is appropriate and aligned with consumer needs. Recently, there has been an increased emphasis – and at times a requirement – to include Veterans and other relevant stakeholders – such as family members and caregivers – in VA health research. Stakeholder involvement in research can help identify key research priorities and improve feasibility and relevance of research efforts. Within clinical practice, Veterans and other key stakeholders can convene through engagement groups to learn about VA and other local mental health resources and how to improve those resources to best meet Veterans’ needs.

VA Maryland Health Care System and the VISN 5 MIRECC have been supporting Veteran engagement activities in several ways:

The VISN 5 MIRECC has a long history of recognizing the importance of veteran engagement in research efforts. Since 2012, the MIRECC has supported a Veterans Stakeholder Forum (VSF) that meets with VISN 5 MIRECC researchers monthly. The VSF has included Veterans enrolled in VA Maryland Health Care System who have lived experience with mental health conditions. When meeting with MIRECC investigators, VSF members have shared experiences with health-related topics and treatments (e.g., stigma, pain, smoking cessation) and provided feedback on research procedures and interventions that were in development or being studied as part of MIRECC research studies. Since March 2020, the VSF meetings have moved to a virtual format, opening the possibility for greater Veteran involvement – not just within VA Maryland but across VISN 5. The VISN 5 MIRECC VSF is always looking for new members. To learn more information or become involved in the VSF, please see our webpage Veteran Stakeholders Forum - MIRECC / CoE (va.gov) and reach out to.

Veteran engagement and input in clinical services is also important. The Veteran’s Health Administration strongly encourages the creation of Veteran Mental Health Councils to facilitate input from Veteran stakeholders on the structure and delivery of mental health services. The Veteran Mental Health Council (VMHC) at VA Maryland is comprised of Veteran mental health consumers, family members, and representatives from community mental health agencies and veteran services organizations with the Local Recovery Coordinator (LRC) serving as a staff liaison. The council helps to provide feedback, suggestions, and proposals related to mental health services, such as access to care, family services, and veteran program development. The council participates in monthly meetings where they meet to discuss advocacy projects, local events, and provide feedback on mental health program materials (i.e., handbook, calendars, brochures). If interested in participating on our council, please reach out to Dr. Christina Thai at 443-897-2388.

Useful Articles and Resources:

Hyde J, Wendleton L, Fehling K, et al. Strengthening Excellence in Research through Veteran Engagement (SERVE): Toolkit for Veteran Engagement in Research (Version 1). Veterans Health Administration, Health Services Research and Development, 2018. Available at: https://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/for_researchers/serve/

Knight SJ, Haibach JP, Hamilton AB, et al (2022). Veteran engagement in health services research: a conceptual model. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 2022; 37(Suppl 1): 94-98.

Sides TL, Jensen AC, Argust MM, et al. Experiences and lessons learned from a patient-engagement service established by a national research consortium in the U.S. Veterans Health Administration. Learning Health Systems. 2024; 8: e10421. doi: 10.1002/lrh2.10421.

VA Health Systems Research: Veteran Engagement: Veteran Engagement (va.gov)

Veterans Health Library: Veterans Mental Health Councils: Veterans Mental Health Councils | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)