Making strides in mental health care with the Million Veteran Program 

VA has always been a leading force in the development of new care treatments, both physical and mental.  

These innovations are what led us to the development of the Million Veteran Program (MVP), and the amazing information stemming from that initiative is showing us all sorts of possibilities when it comes to how to provide better mental healthcare to our Veterans.  

What is the Million Veteran Program? 

In the military, our Veterans learn that there is little they can’t accomplish with the support of the people at their sides, the people who have also answered the call to serve our country.  

At VA, we recognize the strength that comes in through those bonds of shared service, so when we embarked on our most ambitious research endeavor, we knew that the way to succeed was strength in numbers.  

Launched in 2011, MVP is our largest research program, exploring how genes, lifestyles, military experiences, and exposures all impact health and wellness. Since adding our one-millionth Veteran to the program in 2023, we haven’t stopped making discoveries to improve the health of Veterans and sharing that research with the world. 

Information from MVP is used to research conditions and generate new avenues of care in areas that matter to Veterans, like heart health, cancer, military exposures and even mental health care. 

How does MVP impact mental health care? 

Thanks to access to the genetic profiles of Veterans from all walks of life, as well as their experiences, VA researchers have been able to discern shared genetic traits across a variety of conditions that challenge Veterans and the mental healthcare providers who support them.  

Markers for opioid use disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder have all been uncovered because Veterans have chosen to share their information in service to others who have served.  

What’s more, with this growing body of knowledge, doctors may one day be able to offer tests to identify risk factors based on your genetics. That foreknowledge of genetic predisposition can also offer VA mental healthcare providers a path to pursue better preventative treatment options.  

Ultimately, the goal is to make sure Veterans get the right care at the right time, and research like this will help make that a reality. 

“We have many different treatments for some mental health conditions, but we don’t know who responds best to specific treatments. MVP’s research will help us identify which medications and therapies are most likely to benefit specific Veterans. MVP is poised to develop precision medicine for mental healthcare for Veterans,” said Dr. Nathan Kimbrel, VA Research scientist. 

How can you start a mental health care career at VA? 

In addition to joining our team as a researcher, VA is always looking for qualified mental health care professionals. If you’re interested in making a difference, there are several different ways for you to make your mental health care career at VA a reality. 

• Psychologists: Use evidence-based therapies to help Veterans manage mental health conditions like PTSD or traumatic brain injuries.  
• Psychiatrists: Provide critical mental health evaluations and diagnoses, while prescribing treatments such as medicine, talk therapy, or brain stimulation therapies.  
• Social Workers: Assess, support and empower Veterans through case management or crisis intervention support for Veterans and their families.  
• Counselors and Therapists: Provide individual, marital or family counseling. 
• Psychiatric Nurses: Work within interdisciplinary teams to provide compassionate mental healthcare. 
• Peer Specialists: Assist fellow Veterans in articulating their goals for recovery and personal wellness, then assisting during treatment and progress.  

“Getting to work in mental healthcare in the VA system feels important. You feel like you are doing something important in this world,” shared Dr. Stephanie Davis, Suicide Prevention coordinator. 

Work at VA

Join VA today and share your contributions to the important work we’re doing in service to those who have served. Learn more at VA Careers.