An unprecedented study is headed by the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress and in collaboration with leading academic and research institutions including the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Mental Health, Harvard University, University of California – San Diego, and the University of Michigan. This 5 year, 65 million dollar study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, is the largest study ever to address suicide in the Army. The study is a “Framingham” type study, meant to identify risk and resilience factors— psychological, interpersonal, community, and neurobiological — for suicidal behaviors and PTSD, depression, and substance abuse. Because promoting mental health and reducing suicide risk are important for all Americans, the findings from Army STARRS will benefit not only servicemembers but the nation as a whole.
In 2010, Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress staff finalized study designs, developed research instruments, and completed pilot testing for the two largest components of Army STARRS: the All Army Study and the New Soldier Study. Preparations were made and approvals were obtained for the production phases of these two components, which started in Jan/Feb of 2011. In 2010, the data analyses for the Historical Data Study began, and the two components of the Soldier Health Outcomes Study were finalized and are scheduled to begin in 2011.