What’s New
MEXICO EARTHQUAKES DISASTER RESPONSE AND RECOVERY RESOURCES
In support of those responding to the earthquakes in Mexico, the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress has created a dedicated page with information and resources on grief, evacuation centers, psychological and behavioral reactions to disasters, vulnerable populations, health risk and crisis communication, and workplace management during crisis. These can be accessed by clicking HERE.
HURRICANES HARVEY, IRMA, KATIA AND MARIA
In response to the devastating effects of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and Katia, the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress has created a dedicated page with information and resources on grief, evacuation centers, psychological and behavioral reactions to disasters, vulnerable populations, health risk and crisis communication, and workplace management during crisis communication, and workplace management during crisis. These can be accessed by clicking HERE.
Research Review Summer 2017
CSTS is pleased to release the Summer 2017 edition of Research Review (RR). RR presents summaries of current and emerging research in the areas of intimate partner violence (IPV) and child maltreatment. In this edition, the subjects of the child maltreatment articles are colic, assessment of physical abuse and the risk for fatalities, resilience in children, and educational neglect. IPV articles are on the relationships between IPV and animal abuse, adult conflict and breakups, families with complex needs, and needs of female victims of IPV. RR can be freely distributed to anyone who may benefit from this information.
Article - VA's National PTSD Brain Bank: a National Resource for Research
The National PTSD Brain Bank (NPBB) is a brain tissue biorepository established to support research on the causes, progression, and treatment of PTSD. This article describes the organization and operations of NPBB with specific attention to: tissue acquisition, tissue processing, diagnostic assessment, maintenance of a confidential data biorepository, adherence to ethical standards, governance, accomplishments to date, and future challenges.
[PubMed]
Army STARRS: Vol 1, Iss 17 (UPDATED AUGUST 21, 2017)
This document is an ongoing continuous summary of Army STARRS and STARRS-LS publications. Army STARRS (2009-2015) was 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 2020.
FACTSHEET: ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS FOR SPECIAL OPERATORS
Military personnel can experience a variety of stressors and potentially traumatic events, which increase the risk for distress and mental health disorders. Effective recognition and management of these stressors can enhance the health and well-being of service members, and optimize military readiness. Below are instruments that assess a broad range of work–life stressors that can impact military special operators.
Joining Forces Joining Families, Summer 2017
CSTS presents the latest edition of Joining Forces Joining Families (JFJF) Digest, a publication on research related to intimate partner violence and child maltreatment, distributed by the Center for the Study of the Traumatic Stress as part of the Family Violence Trauma Project. It will be of interest to family services professionals, healthcare providers, public health professionals and policy makers among others. This issue features an interview with experts on the perpetration of and effects on victims of bullying with an emphasis on cyberbullying, a review of traditional bullying, cyberbullying, and recent research on risks and benefits of digital technologies that are often used by children and adolescents. Additional content is included on conducting research in the field of bullying and websites that provide information on bullying.
ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WORKERS
First responders and public health emergency workers can experience a variety of stressors and potentially traumatic events, which increase the risk for distress and mental health disorders. Effective recognition and management of these stressors can enhance the health, well-being, and occupational functioning of these personnel. Below are instruments that assess a broad range of work-life stressors.
CSTS Scientists authored "Disaster Psychiatry: Disasters, Terrorism and War"
A synthesis of important concepts in an area of long-standing interest and involvement, for a classic international psychiatry textbook. Click here for citation
Annual Report 2016
Available for immediate viewing is the 2016 Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS) annual report.
May 22 Bombing in Manchester, England
In response to the bombing at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, on Monday, May 22nd, the Center is distributing disaster mental health education fact sheets to support the well-being of responders, families, healthcare providers, and others affected by this event.
Leadership Communication: Anticipating and Responding to Stressful Events
Funerals and Memorials A Part of Recovery
Grief Leadership: Leadership in the Wake of Tragedy
Managing the Stress of Children After a Disaster
Information for First Responders on Emotional Reactions to Human Bodies in Mass Death
Information for Healthcare Providers in Body Recovery from Mass Death
Safety, Recovery and Hope after Disaster Helping Communities and Families Recover
Article - Frequency of Improvised Explosive Devices and Suicide Attempts in the U.S. Army
A recent Military Medicine article highlights the association of improvised explosive device (IED) rates with risk of suicide among soldiers, both those currently deployed as well as those who are not deployed. This article highlights the potential of new weapons to increase stress burden among soldiers, as well as new targets for intervention and improving psychological resilience. For additional details, please review the abstract.
PubMed: click here
Article Published in Military Medicine
A recent Military Medicine article details the characteristics of U.S. military families who have lost a service member between 2001 and 2011. This article highlights the importance and unique needs of the bereaved military family and serves as an important resource for service providers. For additional details, please review the abstract.
Integrating Emergency Management and Disaster Behavioral Health
Integrating Emergency Management and Disaster Behavioral Health is the first book to promote the integration of these two professions. The book describes not only the importance of integrating efforts and skills but why this is critical to optimally service disaster victims, survivors, and those who serve them. Each chapter has content from both professions and includes practical ways to implement the recommendations in the chapter.
Mobile Applications for Mental Health Providers
This article, authored by CSTS Scientist Dr. Joshua Morganstein, reviews six mobile applications that can assist healthcare providers and consumers in the delivery and utilization of mental health care. For additional details, review the abstract here.
Pre-doctoral fellowship award
The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress is pleased to announce the first annual CSTS Pre-doctoral fellowship award. This award is in support of a USUHS graduate student for innovative basic or clinical research studies leading to a PhD degree while addressing the primary mission of the CSTS, namely, to research the health consequences of trauma, disaster, and terrorism. This award provides two years of salary support while the pre-doctoral student works on their doctoral studies. The 2016 CSTS Pre-doctoral Fellowship Award recipient is Francis T. Djankpa for his project “The KCC2 influence on neuronal migration in a ferret model of cortical dysplasia.”
For more information click here
PTSD Brain Bank News Spot
News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports
The Uniformed Services University and Veteran's Administration have partnered to open the national PTSD Brain Bank, where researchers will investigate the impact of stress, trauma and PTSD on brain tissue. This work is being conducted in order to advance the scientific knowledge of PTSD, particularly the identification of PTSD biomarkers. Recent media coverage of the Brain Bank, it's relevance and potential impacts can be found here.
NCTSN- Stephen Cozza, MD Meeting the Intervention Needs of Military Children
In July 2015, SAMHSA, NCTSN and Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) partnered together to produce a special pre-conference event in conjunction with MCEC's National Training Seminar in Washington DC. Experts and leadership provided interviews, panel discussions and TED-like talks on issues pertaining to care and support to military connected families and children. In the attached video, CSTS Senior Scientist, Dr. Stephen Cozza provides a framework for interventions to serve the mental health needs of military children. Please click here for more resources from this event.
The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment
The United States Global Change Research Program released "The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment" to the President. Center Director, Dr. Robert Ursano and Center Scientist, Dr. Joshua Morganstein, served as authors for the chapter on "Mental Health and Well-Being", which outlines the state of current science on the impacts of climate change on mental health.
Click here to view
Disaster Psychiatry: What Psychiatrists Need to Know
Disasters and public health emergencies, such as epidemics, can lead to significant community-wide disruptions. Appreciation of the psychiatric consequences of disasters and public health emergencies has increased significantly in the past decade. Dr. Anthony T. Ng's article in Psychiatric Times, "Disaster Psychiatry: What Psychiatrists Need to Know", provides a useful overview of relevant issues.