{"id":1037,"date":"2026-08-14T20:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T20:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/?p=1037"},"modified":"2026-08-14T20:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T20:30:00","slug":"making-strides-in-mental-health-care-with-the-million-veteran-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=1037","title":{"rendered":"Making strides in mental health care with the Million Veteran Program\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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VA has always been a leading force in the development of new care treatments, both physical and mental.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

These innovations are what led us to the development of the\u00a0Million Veteran Program (MVP)<\/a>, 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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

What is the Million Veteran Program?\u00a0<\/h2>\n

In the military, our Veterans learn that there is little they\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0accomplish\u00a0with the support of the people at their sides, the people who have also answered the call to serve our country.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Launched in 2011, MVP is our\u00a0largest research program<\/a>, 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\u00a0haven\u2019t\u00a0stopped making discoveries to improve the health of Veterans and sharing that research with the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

How does MVP\u00a0impact\u00a0mental health care?\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Thanks to access to the genetic profiles of Veterans from all\u00a0walks of life, as well as their experiences, VA researchers have been able to\u00a0discern shared genetic traits<\/a>\u00a0across a variety of conditions that challenge Veterans and the mental healthcare providers who support them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

What\u2019s\u00a0more, with this growing body of knowledge, doctors may one day be able to offer tests to\u00a0identify\u00a0risk 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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the\u00a0goal is to make sure Veterans get the right care at the right time, and research like this will help make that a reality.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have many different treatments for some mental health conditions, but we\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0know who responds best to specific treatments. MVP\u2019s research will help us\u00a0identify\u00a0which medications and therapies are most likely to\u00a0benefit\u00a0specific Veterans. MVP is poised to develop precision medicine for mental healthcare for Veterans,\u201d said\u00a0Dr. Nathan Kimbrel<\/a>, VA Research scientist.\u00a0<\/p>\n

How can you start a mental health care career at VA?\u00a0<\/h2>\n

In addition to joining our team as a\u00a0researcher<\/a>, VA is always looking for qualified mental health care professionals. If\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0interested in making a difference, there are several\u00a0different ways\u00a0for you to make your mental health care career at VA a reality.\u00a0<\/p>\n