Retreat-Based Program for Violence-Exposed Women Veterans

Given their elevated risk for suicide and barriers to engaging in VHA healthcare, violence-exposed women Veterans represent a specialized population for which expansions to current VHA programming are needed. This pilot study is to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the Growth, Resilience, Insight, and Togetherness (GRIT), a therapeutic retreat program developed with and for Veteran women, to improve social functioning as a potential upstream suicide prevention strategy in comparison to a self-guided program. If found acceptable and feasible, data gathered will inform subsequent program development and identify avenues for further research on use of retreats grounded in Whole Health principles for additional subpopulations of women Veterans and/or other high-risk populations that may benefit.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Experienced interpersonal violence as evidenced by endorsement of items 6, 7, 8, 9, or 11 from the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5® 2. Are willing and able to participate in a two overnight, three-day, retreat and complete pre- and post-retreat surveys 3. Are actively engaged in VHA mental healthcare (i.e., have a documented mental health visit with a VA provider within the last 90 days 4. Endorse some difficulties in social functioning as indicated by a score \>2 on at least two items of the social functioning questionnaire 5. Ability to speak, read, and understand spoken English sufficiently well to complete the procedures of the study 6. Have access to a mobile phone or computer device that will enable participation in virtual video sessions Exclusion Criteria: 1. Current suicidal thoughts and intent (using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale; C-SSRS, (i.e., endorses items 1, 2, and 4 or 5) 2. Diagnosis of alcohol or substance use dependence in medical record. In cases where alcohol or substance use is identified as problematic but not reaching the threshold for diagnosis of SUD dependence, additional consultation with mental health providers and chart review by the PI will be used to determine suitability for participation 3. Current psychosis or mania as indicated by electronic health records, or as identified during baseline administration of Quick SCID