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Army STARRS: Volume 8 Issue 1, Updated January 29, 2024

This document is an ongoing continuous summary of Army STARRS and STARRS-LS publications. STARRS/STARRS LS (2009 - present) is the largest and most comprehensive research project of mental health among U.S. Army Soldiers ever conducted. The project was designed to examine a broad range of risk and resilience (protective) factors across a complex set of outcomes including suicidal behaviors and associated mental health issues. Army STARRS scientists created a series of large and extensive databases with the potential to achieve groundbreaking results. These databases allow scientists to investigate a diverse combination of factors from demographic, psychological, biological, neurological, behavioral, and social domains with the goal of generating actionable findings for the Army. The project was designed using an adaptive approach which means it evolved as new information became available over the course of the project. The research team shared preliminary findings, as they became available, with senior Army leadership so the Army could apply them to its ongoing health promotion, risk reduction, and suicide prevention efforts. The work is continuing under the STARRS Longitudinal Study (STARRS-LS) which runs from 2015 to 2025.

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SOUTHERN UNITED STATES TORNADOES: MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY RECOVERY

Catastrophic disasters, such as late-season severe weather and tornado outbreaks that affected portions of the Southern United States across the states of Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, and Kentucky, cause suffering and death, as well as extreme disruption and distress for communities. Please click HERE for brief and easy-to-read education fact sheets with recommended actions to protect the mental health and well-being of individuals and communities impacted by the tornadoes.

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Grief and Prolonged Grief Disorder Book

Dr. Stephen Cozza, Associate Director for the Child and Family Program for CSTS, Professor for Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at USU, was among the many experts at USU who helped lead the development of a new book, Grief and Prolonged Grief Disorder, to help clinicians better understand Prolonged Grief Disorder, which is much longer-lasting and all-consuming compared to typical bereavement. 

click HERE for more information.

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MAINE COMMUNITY SHOOTINGS RESOURCES TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY RECOVERY

Acts of mass violence, such as the shootings at the bar and bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine, cause extreme disruption within communities. When these events occur in locations people typically go to relax and let down their guard, they can be particularly distressing and undermine a fundamental sense of safety. The subsequent law enforcement search for perpetrator and resulting community lockdown prolong distress and create ongoing disruption and uncertainty. Victims, family, friends, first responders and emergency personnel, as well as community leaders are among those affected. Ongoing and graphic media exposure broaden the impacted disaster “community” far beyond the geographic region of the event.

Please click HERE for resources

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ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

Exposure to acts of terrorism and war causes a wide range of harmful mental health effects. Those working with people directly impacted by the Israel-Hamas war or affected communities around the world can protect mental health by using the following evidence-based actions and other resources HERE

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WAR IN UKRAINE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

Exposure to war causes a wide range of harmful mental health effects. Those living in Ukraine, refugees who are displaced, family and friends of Ukrainian citizens, as well as communities watching around the world may experience responses such as anger, fear, trouble with sleep, increased use of substances, and others. Reactions in children can be similar but may also include reverting to earlier childhood behaviors, isolation, aggression, and diminished school performance. Identifying these responses and providing early interventions can lower distress, enhance well-being, and improve the ability to care for ourselves and our families.

УКРАЇНСЬКА       Po polsku         русский         日本語 

Please click HERE for resources

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Research Review Fall 2023

In this edition of Research Review (RR), we define food insecurity and describe methods of measuring it, discuss the association between food insecurity and family stress, and suggest how to provide assistance
to families who are struggling with securing adequate food.

Amygdala: Dr. Kalin's Lecture Available

Dr. Kalin's Presentation: Brain, Behavior, and Mind Lecture

For more information about Dr. Kalin and the lecture please visit Amygdala, Stress, PTSD Conference site

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Hurricane Idalia DISASTER RESOURCES TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY RECOVERY

Catastrophic natural disasters, such as Hurricane Idalia, cause extreme disruption and can be distressful for individuals, families, and communities. For resources please click HERE

ESPAÑOL - Hoja de datos

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MAUI WILDFIRES DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE AND RECOVERY RESOURCES

Catastrophic natural disasters, such as the Maui wildfires, cause extreme disruption and can be distressful for individuals, families and communities. Please click HERE for brief, action-oriented fact sheets as well as additional information to help individuals, communities, and organizations in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires.

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CSTS 2022 Annual Report

Immediately available for viewing is the 2022 CSTS Annual Report. In this comprehensive report, you can read summaries of the Center's work in responding to the mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as our continuing work in both military and civilian populations to enhance psychological health, speed the recovery from, and help prevent the negative consequences of trauma on individuals, families, communities, and the nation. 

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COVENANT SCHOOL SHOOTINGS: MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY RECOVERY

Acts of mass violence, such as the shootings at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee cause extreme disruption within communities. Acts of violence against children are particularly distressing, and their occurrence at locations that are often thought of as safe havens, such as schools, further undermine feelings of safety within a community. Victims, family, friends, first responders, emergency personnel, and community leaders are among those affected. Caring for the mental health needs of communities and promoting resilience and recovery requires prompt interventions by educating people on common responses to trauma and the ways this may look different in children, providing guidance on actions to foster individual and family well-being, and ensuring access to timely resources and care when needed.

Please click HERE for a resources

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Turkey-Syria Earthquakes: Mental Health Resources to Support Community Recovery

Catastrophic disasters, such as the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, cause suffering and death, as well as extreme disruption and distress for communities. Please click HERE for brief and easy-to-read education fact sheets with recommended actions to protect the mental health and well-being of individuals and communities impacted by the earthquakes.

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Monterey Park & Half Moon Bay Shootings Resources to Support Community Recovery

Acts of mass violence, such as the shootings in California at the ballroom dance studio in Monterey Park and mushroom farm in Half Moon Bay cause extreme disruption within communities. Victims, family, friends, first responders and emergency personnel, as well as community leaders are among those affected. Ongoing and graphic media exposure expand the disaster “community” far beyond the geographic region of the event. Caring for the mental health needs of communities and promoting resilience and recovery requires prompt interventions that educate people on common responses to trauma, provides guidance on actions to foster individual and family well-being, and ensures resources are available when distress persists or other symptoms emerge.

Please click HERE for resources

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Leadership After a Possible Suicide or Suicide Attempt

CSTS has created brief and easy-to-read resources that describe actions unit leadership can take to care for unit members and sustain readiness. When a service member is found injured or dead, the cause is often unknown. The cause may be a medical event, an accident, suicide, or suicide attempt. Leaders and unit members may feel uncertain about what to talk about, what not to talk about, and what to do.

Click HERE for Fact Sheet. Click HERE for Trifold

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Hurricane Ian Disaster Resources to Support Community Recovery

Catastrophic natural disasters, such as Hurricane Ian in Florida, cause extreme disruption and distress for communities. Response and recovery can be complicated in communities still recovering from other disasters, including previous extreme weather events and the global COVID-19 pandemic (resources can be found here). Below are brief and easy-to-read education fact sheets with recommended actions to protect the mental health and well-being of individuals, communities, and organizations during Hurricane Ian.

Please click HERE for resources

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COVID-19 Pandemic Response Resources

This PAGE contains fact sheets and other resources to support the health and well-being of communities impacted by COVID-19

No permission is needed to use or adapt these fact sheets for you or your organization. These fact sheets are in the public domain and you may use it freely as it is helpful to you.

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Cambridge University Press has made available a collection of free access Coronavirus materials. Included is a free access chapter from the Textbook of Disaster Psychiatry, "Pandemics: Health Care Emergencies" that can be accessed HERE

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Suicide Prevention Program Site

Our Suicide Prevention Program site is live! The Center was entrusted to develop a Suicide Prevention Program to raise awareness of suicide as a public health problem and promote the mental health and well-being of Service members and beyond. The focus of the Program is to shape and support efforts across military and non-military populations to reduce suicidal behaviors and promote protective environments. 

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CSTS Doctoral Graduate Student Fellow awarded NRSA (F31) Grant

CSTS Doctoral Graduate Student Fellow Matthew Thompson received a National Research Service Award (NRSA/F31) from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) for his research project, entitled "Examining Suicide Risk from a Biopsychosocial Framework: A Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study." This award will further support his dissertation research, which broadly aims to investigate the combined associations of brain structure and connectivity, genetic, and psychosocial risk indicators for suicide using large-scale biomedical data. His work is supported by his Co-Mentors, Dr. Marjan Holloway and Dr. Joshua Gray, collaborators within CSTS, and consultants at Emory University and Florida State University. Foundational research that was important to the development of Matt’s award application can be found in a preprint on bioRxiv.

More information on the CSTS Doctoral Graduate Student Fellowship can be found HERE.

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Supporting Military-Connected LGBTQ+ Youth: Tips for Helping Professionals

In recognition of Pride Month, the Center of the Study of Traumatic Stress has developed a new fact sheet, "Supporting Military-Connected LGBTQ+ Youth: Tips for Helping Professionals"
Youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or who are questioning their sexual or gender identity (LGBTQ+) may face harassment and discrimination, which are associated with negative mental health outcomes. This fact sheet raises awareness among helping professionals (e.g., educators, health care providers, community support personnel) who work with military youth.

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16th Annual Amygdala, Stress, and PTSD Conference: Cells, Circuits, Sensors, and Stress

The 16th Annual Amygdala, Stress, and PTSD Conference occurred on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. The Amygdala, Stress, and PTSD Conference at the Uniformed Services University brings together scientists and clinicians working toward solving the biological basis of stress, fear, and posttraumatic stress disorder. View recordings of the presentations here.

Congratulations to the poster winners!

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Medical IDs on Our Smartphones

Medical emergencies can occur unexpectedly and leave us unable to communicate important information, such as medical conditions, allergies, and emergency contacts. There is a simple and safe way to keep information
handy so that good samaritans and responders can help.

Click HERE to see how to add to your smartphone or print out a cut out for your wallet or purse

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Managing Grief During the Holidays

The holiday season can be especially challenging for those who are bereaved. Memories of loved ones who have died will likely arise and can be painful reminders of the loss. As we enter the holiday season, here are a few tips for coping. [more]

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Tornadoes Response and Recovery Resources

The tornadoes in the southern and central U.S were severe and wide-spanning, leading to billions of dollars in damages and claiming nearly a hundred lives across six states. The tornadoes also caused extreme disruption and distress for communities, adding to challenges of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (resources can be found here). Below are brief and easy-to-read education fact sheets with recommended actions to protect the mental health and well-being of individuals, communities, and organizations following the tornadoes. [more]

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Trauma and Resiliency in Military Families, with Dr. Stephen Cozza

In this podcast with One in Ten, Dr. Stephen Cozza discusses the unique strengths and challenges of military families. When we think of military families, we rightly think of sacrifice and duty. But do we also think about resiliency, perseverance, and a sense of community? The unique sense of identity that comes with military service comes with a complex set of supports and struggles for service members. Click HERE to listen

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Resources for the U.S. Capitol Attack

The recent attack on the U.S. Capitol has evoked a range of emotions as well as upset our beliefs about safety in our country. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has developed resources to help children, families, and communities navigate what they are seeing and hearing, acknowledge their feelings, and find ways to cope together. Resources can be found at the below links:

Supporting Children After the U.S. Capitol Attack
Coping After Mass Violence
Pause-Reset-Nourish (PRN) to Promote Wellbeing
Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After Mass Violence
Helping Youth after Community Trauma: Tips for Educators
Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers
Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers
Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers
The Power of Parenting: How to Help Your Child After a Parent or Caregiver Dies

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Curriculum Recommendations for Disaster Health Professionals: Disaster Behavioral Health

 
This guidance document was created with the intent to 1) provide a framework upon which to build disaster behavioral health curricula and 2) compile and give access to up-to-date, credible resources to support such curricula. It is intended for use by those developing and delivering disaster behavioral health training as well as community leaders, policymakers, and others seeking to better understand the behavioral health impacts of disasters on individuals and communities.

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Interactive, Mobile Website to Aid Healthcare Providers in Notifying Family Members of Unexpected Deaths

Healthcare providers receive little training on notifying family members of a loved one's unexpected death. The way this information is delivered can have a long-lasting impact on a family's health and well-being. CSTS has developed an interactive, mobile website to serve as a guide for healthcare providers who may find themselves in these situations.  https://www.cstsonline.org/notifying-family-members-after-unexpected-deaths.

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DR. URSANO RECEIVES AMSUS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Dr. Robert Ursano, Director of CSTS, Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of the USU, was awarded the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS). The AMSUS Lifetime Achievement Award is for a distinguished career of excellence in development, invention, and innovation in healthcare that is recognized internationally and makes significant fundamental contributions of lasting impact to better health outcomes in federal healthcare. AMSUS was founded by Congress in 1903 and is the Society of Federal Health Professionals.

DR. URSANO RECEIVES AMSUS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD