Patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are at increased risk of depression following hospital discharge. Unfortunately, most depressed CVD patients do not receive appropriate care for their depression, often because they are unable to, or are fearful of traveling to providers for the regimen of 8-12 weekly visits of therapy such as Behavioral Activation (BA). This study will compare the effectiveness of BA for depression, delivered via Telehealth, to standard post-CVD hospital discharge best practices. It is predicted that patients who receive BA will have better mental health outcomes and will be less likely to be re-hospitalized compared to patients who receive standard post-discharge care.

This research is taking place at the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC and surrounding Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). This study is examining the effectiveness of PE-PC in VHA primary care mental health integration (PCMHI) clinics. We will randomize Veterans presenting in VA PC with chronic PTSD who meet minimal inclusion/exclusion criteria to receive PE-PC (four, 30-minute weekly sessions) or PCMHI treatment as usual.