Veterans with mental illness may get therapy from trained peers

NCT ID NCT03467243

Completed Disease control Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether peer specialists—people who have serious mental illness themselves and are trained to help others—can effectively deliver two types of therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training (CBSST) and Social Skills Training (SST). The goal is to help veterans with conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder improve their social functioning and quality of life. The trial involved 191 veterans and compared peer-delivered therapy to usual care.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training (CBSST) and Social Skills Training (SST) delivered by peer specialists
What this could lead to: If effective, this could expand access to proven therapy for veterans with serious mental illness by using trained peer specialists instead of only doctors or therapists.
What could go wrong: This is a completed trial with 191 participants, but results are not yet widely confirmed. Peer delivery may not be as effective as professional-led therapy, and individual outcomes may vary.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bipolar disorder Depression psychiatric disorder schizoaffective disorder schizophrenia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS

Contacts and locations

Locations

VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System University Drive Division, Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15240, United States

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