MIRECC / CoE
Transgender and Gender Diverse Veterans’ Experiences, Needs, and Preferences
Understanding Transgender and Gender Diverse
Veterans’ Experiences, Needs, and Preferences
Welcome
Thank you for visiting our research study webpage! If you are visiting this webpage, you likely either:
- Saw our study flyers
- Received an invitation to participate in our study
- Are interested in helping to improve research experiences and prevent suicide among transgender and gender diverse Veterans
On this website, you can find additional information about our research studies, research team, and Veteran Engagement Group to help you decide if you would like to participate. If you have additional questions, please call our Research Coordinator at 720-723-6555.
*Our team is based out of Denver, Colorado and is generally available during business hours (Monday — Friday 8:00 am — 4:30 pm Mountain Time); however, please feel free to leave a voicemail (even if outside of those hours) and we will return your call during business hours.
On This Page
Background
Transgender and gender diverse Veterans have served in the United States military at 2-3 times the rate observed in the general population, and it is expected that this number will continue to grow. However, they also encounter barriers and discrimination that can influence their engagement in research, health care access, and risk for suicide.
Transgender and gender diverse Veterans have different experiences and perspectives regarding research engagement and suicide prevention treatments. Despite this, there is limited information about the preferences for research participation and suicide prevention strategies for transgender and gender diverse Veterans.
Your voice and lived experiences can help fill this gap and help other transgender and gender diverse Veterans.
We hope to learn more about transgender and gender diverse Veterans’ experiences and perspectives as they relate to research participation and suicide prevention strategies. Our goal is to use this information to guide future research and to tailor suicide prevention efforts for transgender and gender diverse Veterans. Your participation will help us develop, adapt, and/or recommend suicide prevention resources and programs for transgender and gender diverse Veterans.
Study Mission
We are striving to learn more about:
- Transgender and gender diverse Veterans’ health experiences preferences for research participation, including their research priorities at this time.
- Transgender women and transgender men Veterans’ experiences, preferences, and needs for suicide prevention services and resources.
To do this, we will use multiple methods that include:
Surveys
Interviews
Study Participation
For this study, we are separately recruiting participants for a survey and an interview.
We value your trust and prioritize the security, confidentiality, and privacy of all information that you share with us.
Any information you share for this study is confidential, will not be connected or entered into your VA medical records, and will not impact your ability to receive VA services or benefits.
For the Survey
We are currently recruiting participants for the survey.
This portion of the study will consist of an approximately 20-minute anonymous survey. You may be eligible to participate if you:
- Are transgender or gender diverse
- Have served in the U.S. military
- Are not currently on active duty or mobilized on Reserve/National Guard duty
- Are between the ages of 18 and 89 years old
If you would like to participate and share your experiences, please visit the following link to be directed to the survey:
https://vhaordfedramp.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a4ZikhRnuo7AGCW
Your responses will be anonymous and will not be connected to your VA records in any capacity.
For the Interview
We are currently recruiting participants for the interview.
The confidential interview involves a one-time virtual or phone appointment with a member of our research team, estimated to take 2 hours. Compensation will be provided. You may be eligible to participate in this portion if you:
- Are a transgender woman or a transgender man
- Have served on active duty in the U.S. military
- Not currently on active duty or mobilized on Reserve/National Guard duty
- Are between the ages of 18 and 89 years old
Veterans interested in participating will be asked to complete a brief telephone screen (approximately 5-10 minutes) to assess their eligibility to participate. If eligible, Veterans will meet (by phone or teleconferencing) with someone from our research team to complete an interview and some brief questionnaires. The interview will be recorded for data analysis purposes.
Your responses will be confidential and will not be connected to your VA records in any capacity.
If you are interested in participating, please contact our Research Coordinator at 720-723-6555.
About
Study Title: Understanding Transgender and Gender Diverse Veterans’ Experiences, Needs, and Preferences (COMIRB #23-0883)
Principal Investigator: Ashley Griffith, PhD
Contact
For more information or to participate, please contact our Research Coordinator at 720-723-6555.
Resources for Study Participants and Veterans
If you need immediate medical or mental health attention, please call 911.
If you are a Veteran or service member in crisis — or you’re concerned about one — please call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1 — OR — start a confidential chat by texting 838255 or visiting Veterans Crisis Line. [Available 24/7]
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for LGBTQI+ Services: Text “PRIDE” to 988; Call 988 and select OPTION 3; or Select LGBTQI+ in the pre-chat survey: https://988lifeline.org/
Trans Lifeline is a trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive, including crisis resources: 1-877-565-8860
Find your nearest VA facility or Vet Center: https://www.va.gov/find-locations/
Information about accessing care at Vet Centers: 1-877-927-8387 and https://www.vetcenter.va.gov/
VA Resources for LGBTQ+ Veterans: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/
Find your local LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator (VCC). They can answer questions, advocate for your right to quality care, handle complaints or concerns, and help you get started with services for LGBTQ+ Veterans: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/VAFacilities.asp
Information regarding mental health and behavioral services for transgender individuals: https://nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/LGBTQ/
Information about mental health for Veterans: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/
There are also many free health-related mobile apps for Veterans: https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/mobile-apps/
Additional Resources for Transgender and Gender Diverse Veterans
National Coalition for LGBTQ Health: https://healthlgbtq.org/
LGBT National Help Center is a national organization that offers free and confidential peer-support, information, and local resources through helplines and online chatrooms staffed by LGBTQIA+ volunteers: 1-888-843-4564 or visit https://lgbthotline.org
The Trevor Project provides free, confidential, and secure 24/7 service for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults: 1-866-488-7386 or text 678-678
National Center for Transgender Equality is a national social justice organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender individuals. They provide information about your rights and guidance for IDs and health coverage: https://transequality.org/
Transgender Law Center is an organization dedicated to changing law, policy, and attitudes so all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination. Resources related to common legal challenges and questions transgender people often encounter are available, along with a Helpdesk to respond to questions and refer to other resources: https://transgenderlawcenter.org/
Advocates for Trans Equality was founded in 2024 as the National Center for Transgender Equality and Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund merged together as one organization. Their policy experts, litigators, and community organizers work to ensure trans voices are heard and embraced. They also support the community in navigating the realities of law and policy through vital tools, knowledge, and services: https://a4te.org/
Additional Suicide Prevention Information
Rocky Mountain MIRECC has many educational resources to support Veterans. These resources are available virtually and as printed copies (request for free). If you have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide, Uniting for Suicide Postvention provides resources for ongoing support.
Additional information regarding the VA Suicide Prevention Program: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/
Learn more about the Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Veteran Suicide Prevention: https://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn19/
Last Updated 4 October 2024
