VA’s Million Veteran Program shares suicide prevention research

VA's Million Veteran Program (MVP), the world's largest genetic research program within a health care system, studies health conditions that matter to Veterans like you. MVP's commitment to improving Veteran health care means searching for better screening tools, treatments and preventions for conditions that can save Veteran lives.

In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, we spoke with MVP researcher Dr. Nathan Kimbrel about his work on suicide prevention.

Kimbrel is Research Career scientist at Durham VA and co-director of the Clinical Core at the VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center.

Strength in numbers

"MVP is such an amazing resource. There's really not an equivalent dataset anywhere else in the world. It has already had a tremendous impact on health care research, including suicide prevention research," he said.

Kimbrel explained that MVP's 1,000,000+ participants provide a new opportunity for researchers to study conditions using a sample big enough to produce reliable findings.

He stressed that every Veteran who has joined and will join MVP is important, noting that diversity is crucial in medical research. Health researchers can only make discoveries that apply to all populations across race, gender and age if all populations are included in research.

"By participating in MVP, Veterans enable research that is absolutely critical for the development of new medications and treatment approaches for all Veterans," he said.

Kimbrel and his team are examining if and how genes interact with environmental stressors to predict suicidal thoughts and behavior among Veterans. In a 2023 study, they were able to identify specific parts of genes that may be related to a greater risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This is the first step and more research is needed to confirm the role of the specific genes and better understand how they work.

"It is our team's hope that our research will eventually lead to improved treatments and reduce the rate of death by suicide among Veterans," he added.

Helping yourself and those around you

Kimbrel and his team study suicide prevention, its risk factors and ways to improve detection every day. Suicide prevention is everyone's business.

Take time this month to check in on your own mental health, and that of your family and friends and battle buddies-and reach out for help if you need it.

Access VA prevention resources, support and ways to take action, like spreading the word about suicide prevention or learning how to talk with a Veteran in crisis by visiting the mental health suicide prevention website or by checking out the resources below:

• Participate in VA's Buddy Check week in October. Take the pledge to talk to 10 Veterans you know. You'll receive resources, tips and updates via email.
• Learn to recognize the signs of distress and learn about resources you can recommend to fellow Veterans if needed.
  • A 30-minute online training can help you identify the signs of distress and be a better advocate for your friends. Take VA's PEER Wellness Training by going to YouTube and searching "National Buddy Check Week - Take the Training."
  • The Veterans Crisis Line provides 24/7, confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

Join MVP

MVP studies how genes, lifestyle, military experiences and exposures affect health and wellness. Learn more about MVP's research surrounding suicide prevention or any of MVP's research into Veteran health care.

This research is made possible by more than 1,000,000 Veterans who have already signed up for MVP. Join their ranks by signing up today, either online or by calling 866-441-6075 to make an appointment at a participating VA facility.

You don't need to receive your care at VA to participate.

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