Anxiety & Depression Association of America

Prevention of Psychological Health Problems Via Integrated Operational Support

Purpose

Sub-clinical behavioral health services in the military are performed by BH technicians, who receive minimal training. Due to this, embedding more technicians in military units is unlikely to benefit service members. Giving technicians training in, and access to, evidence-based interventions (EBI) could make their work more effective. The proposed study is a training trial examining the efficacy of the full integrated operational support (IOS) toolkit (evidence-based interventions for behavioral health), relative to routine care using standard resources, as a prevention resource for active-duty airmen.

Conditions

Depression, Anxiety
Grief
Leadership
Dissatisfaction

Eligibility

Eligible Ages: Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders: All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Inclusion Criteria

Service members seeing a behavioral health (BH) technician. - Currently embedded BH technicians.

Exclusion Criteria

Service members who are not currently seeing a BH technician. - BH technicians who are not embedded or have taken a clinic role.

Study Design

Phase: N/A
Study Type: Interventional
Allocation: N/A
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Intervention Model Description: Modified stepped wedge design training behavioral health technicians
Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
Masking: None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

Arm	Description	Assigned Intervention
Experimental BH Technician Training	BH Technician Training; active deliberate practice training	Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Coaching Training Behavioral technicians will engage in a structured, deliberate-practice-based training program designed to enhance competence in evidence-based interventions (EBIs) over a 10-week period. The program begins with an initial seminar that provides an overview of the training framework, key research supporting deliberate practice, and specific intervention techniques. Each participant is assigned a coach-either a clinical psychologist or a licensed MSW with expertise in the EBI Toolkit-who will provide individualized guidance throughout the training. During the weekly coaching sessions, participants will review session notes, engage in structured practice exercises, and work toward mastering the skills and competencies necessary for effective intervention delivery. Weekly homework assignments will allow participants to practice each tool as though they were working with an SM client, followed by self-reflections that will be discussed in coaching sessions.

Recruiting Locations

More Details

Status: Recruiting
Sponsor: New York University

Study Contact

Kelly Daly, PhD
914-806-5093
kd2691@nyu.edu

Detailed Description

This study is conducted in collaboration with the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Medical Service to enhance the effectiveness of embedded behavioral health (BH) technicians in operational units. The initiative aligns with military health goals by embedding paraprofessional BH technicians within line units to improve service member (SM) access to mental health care, reduce stigma, and address risk factors such as sleep disorders, stress, trauma, and suicide prevention. However, variability in training and intervention delivery has limited their effectiveness. This research aims to test evidence-based training (EBT) approaches for BH technicians, equipping them with validated intervention tools and engagement techniques to improve SM psychological well-being, stress management, and service satisfaction. The research builds on previous findings showing that embedded BH technicians increase accessibility and reduce stigma but often lack standardized training and structured intervention tools. The study will use a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design to compare trained vs. untrained BH technicians, assessing their adoption of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) and the resulting impact on SM well-being. The CBPR advisory board, which has guided the development of the IOS EBI Toolkit, will continue its role in refining training methods and implementation. Additionally, a patient advocate consultant, who has experienced suicidality, PTSD, and sleep disorders, will contribute to recruitment strategies and intervention refinement. This approach ensures that training is optimized for real-world military settings, increasing adoption and effectiveness. The study's objectives are to evaluate whether EBI training improves BH technicians' adoption of intervention tools and SM outcomes, test whether BH technician competency mediates SM improvement, and deliver empirically supported training protocols to the DAF. The research aims to enhance the quality and impact of BH services in operational units, ultimately improving SM resilience, recovery, and mission readiness. By formalizing structured training programs and evidence-based engagement strategies, this initiative seeks to standardize and optimize the role of embedded BH technicians, ensuring they effectively support service members' mental health needs. If successful, these training protocols will be scaled for military-wide implementation, contributing to long-term mental health improvements across the DAF and broader military community.

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.