Researchers at the VA focus on innovative treatment for veterans to target social isolation

2023-01-05T11:21:13-05:00

The Department of Veterans Affairs reports it is poised to support veterans in its care but researchers continue to focus on new and innovative treatment options for its warriors. Lisham (Lee) Ashrafioun has been with the VA for over nine years and is an investigator with the agency. His focus is non pharmaceutical pain management options as well as alternative treatment options (https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-culture/non-profits-help-veterans-ptsd/) for substance use disorder. Within his research is the constant focus on how to prevent suicide and social isolation.

“My grandfather served in the Air Force, I have a cousin in the Coast Guard and now I have another cousin who will be joining the Air Force” he shared. “I’ve always wanted to find a way to give back to the military community all the way back even when I was a clinical psychology intern.”

After his internship was over, Ashrafioun knew what he wanted to do. It was through his research on suicide prevention the realization that the impact of social isolation has on suicide came to light.

“I’ve come across this underlying current of social isolation and loneliness with people who have substance use disorders and people with chronic pain. These are people who are at risk of suicide among a variety of other issues,” he explained. “This sort of led us into trying to help address social isolation and loneliness as well.”

The Center for Disease Control lists loneliness as a risk factor for suicide as does the American Psychological Association and now, the VA has it as well.

“I feel like COVID really shifted things but truly we began researching the implications of loneliness before the pandemic. Going through it accelerated it quite a bit,” Ashrafioun said. “What we found is that by reaching out to those socially isolated people and helping them rediscover some of those skills led to more of a willingness to seek treatment.”

A sense of belonging can be a protective factor in suicide prevention, the Mayo Clinic states.

As for how the VA intends to target social isolation to lower suicide numbers, it starts with the recommendation of individualized therapy sessions. “Those therapists will work with the veteran to identify the things they can do and participate in and they’ll be able to recommend outside resources,” he explained. “Within the VA there’s a real opportunity for us to engage in research which develops into an actual intervention we can test. If it works we can immediately plug it into our clinics.”

He went on to explain that while a lot of research projects may get funded, many fizzle out without ever being implemented. The VA, however, looks for success within the research and quickly works to implement it as a tool within the clinics for veterans in need.

“Our hope is that we want to be able to address loneliness and social isolation, more directly, which we feel like our interventions can help do that. We think it sort of underlies all these other issues as well,” Ashrafioun shared. “If we’re able to address the isolation and loneliness, then we also think it can maybe help improve their functioning related to chronic pain issues that they’re having. We hope that it can reduce some of their substance use, alleviate some depression and anxiety.”

When the term “research” is used, many of us may envision a sterile lab filled with people wearing white coats and pocket protectors. It may be easy to picture them as somewhat aloof and removed. But when it comes to the research to treat veterans, the people behind it all are human beings with a passion to serve those who wore the uniform.

“I’m human just like everyone else,” Ashrafioun explained. “There are so many mental health and physical health issues our veterans have from service or following their service. This is my way of giving back to them.”

To learn more about how the VA and its Office of Research and Development, click here: https://www.research.va.gov/default.cfm

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Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jan 5 at 2023 11:31 AM

2023-01-05T11:31:57-05:00

Research shows that isolation is a threat to both mental and physical well being. I hope the results are shared out

Response by SSgt Richard Kensinger made Jan 5 at 2023 7:42 PM

2023-01-05T19:42:40-05:00

Social connections offer various degrees of protection.
Rich

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jan 7 at 2023 3:50 PM

2023-01-07T15:50:31-05:00

thanks for sharing

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Jan 8 at 2023 9:40 PM

2023-01-08T21:40:22-05:00

How Do I Explain This? Well, I'll Just Have To Try......You Bastards Damned Nearly Killed Me, Due To Medical & Prescription Fa-Cups, Including Emergency Surgery And a MONTH In The Hospital....For Over 20 Years Now, I've Been Disabled And BECAUSE Of YOU, I've Lost Over 25 YEARS Of My Adult Life. ~~So I'll Close With FA-Q,~ And Good Night !

Response by 1SG Rick Seekman made Jan 8 at 2023 9:53 PM

2023-01-08T21:53:23-05:00

What took va so long to recognize this?

Response by CPT Richard Trione made Jan 18 at 2023 3:42 PM

2023-01-18T15:42:49-05:00

Thank you for sharing.

Response by LCpl Gerald C made Jan 29 at 2023 1:49 PM

2023-01-29T13:49:06-05:00

Wow, hopefully this will be eye-opening for many much-needed treatment options. This is the core of the veteran experience. Most are alienated from family and pre-service friends and all veterans are from some place other than where they live. This makes you an outsider to all the locals who have their own unique cultures and characteristics. It makes it hard to fit in. Sometime others feel awkward or uncomfortable around you. In turn you feel uncomfortable because you can pick up the vibe that you are making them feel uncomfortable. So, you end up avoiding socializing and pretty much keep to yourself. Now, toss in a little PTSD and your focus is on not allowing yourself to be in a vulnerable position, especially among strangers. It's pretty hard to form close friendships and relationships under these circumstances. When you are isolating, you are not interacting with others. When you are not interacting with others your social skills are not developing as they should. This gives you a feeling of inferiority to others which in turn negatively affects your self-image and self-confidence. Such is the veteran experience. Not very nice.

Response by CPL Daniel Porras made Feb 1 at 2023 9:20 PM

2023-02-01T21:20:38-05:00

For some it can be just tired of being judged by people we meet. And it's hard to understand what why and how people are thinking in this country no pride or care.

Response by PO3 Justin Bowen made Feb 20 at 2023 2:49 AM

2023-02-20T02:49:00-05:00

Serious question here: aside from treatment of diagnosed mental health disorders, how does one change a person's attitude, personal philosophy on life, or outcomes of cultural upbringing (a serious problem in the US when compared with cultures prevalent in financially-poorer countries)?

Results of survey after survey have shown that adults in the US - men in particular - have far fewer close friends and smaller social networks as they age than their peers in other countries. Add into the cultural upbringing mix the consequences of having a job that results in you killing people and you have a recipe for social isolation that leads not just to physical and mental health problems but to extremism as well.

How does one fix that problem among vets, whose primary function in the military is to either kill - or at least be prepared to kill - people or provide direct support to those whose mission it is to kill people? The average person in the US - as well as in the military - is likely not prepared mentally prepared enough to kill people or deal with the aftermath of people being killed without suffering lasting mental trauma. What treatments are the researchers looking into to help those who were sent to do something that is unhealthy for their mental well-being?