National Research Action Plan: Responding to the Executive Order Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members and Military Families

This NRAP will complement the 2013 Interim Report of the Interagency Task Force on Military and Veterans Mental Health (May 2013) to ensure that Veterans, service members, and their families receive necessary mental health services and support. Close collaborations between the agencies will expedite fulfillment of the strategies outlined in the NRAP. The DoD, VA, HHS, and the Department of Education understand the gravity and urgency of the problems and are committed to advancing the health of our military and nation through their collective research. To ensure progress and success, the agencies will schedule formal joint review and analysis of efforts. Further, continued analysis of needs using the Interagency Research Continuum Approach is planned. The Agency research working group co-chairs will be responsible for overseeing the formation of any necessary new workgroups or initiatives to deliver on the plans of this NRAP. Collectively, these activities will support the Order?s research goals to prevent suicide, to reduce the number of individuals affected by PTSD, TBI, and comorbidities, and to improve the quality of life of those who do experience these conditions through better-coordinated and synchronized efforts to accelerate progress in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.