A Memorial Day Like No Other
Although Memorial Day is and should be dedicated to our fallen military personnel and veterans, this year, especially, we are reminded that service to the country comes in many forms.
May 27, 2021 The RAND Blog
Infrastructure Investment for Veterans
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides health care to over 9 million veterans through its network of medical facilities. Improved infrastructure could help attract veterans to care, boost provider morale, and ensure high-quality care.
May 4, 2021 The RAND Blog
Human Intelligence: The Key to Ferreting Out Extremism in the Ranks
The U.S. military is fighting extremism—including white supremacists and violent anti-government radicals—in its own ranks. De-radicalized former extremists can provide crucial first-hand intelligence on extremist groups' recruiting tactics.
Mar 18, 2021 Defense One
Access to Mobile Technology Could Help to Alleviate LA's Homelessness Crisis
The vast majority of people experiencing homelessness have cell phones, which often serve as their lifelines. Providing technological supports, such as Wi-Fi access and opportunities to charge devices, could result in better access to social services and, ultimately, better quality of life and outcomes.
Sep 16, 2020 The RAND Blog
Comparing Suicide Rates: Making an Apples to Apples Comparison
As the national suicide rate continues to rise, an increasing number of stakeholders are looking within their own communities and asking: “Do we have a suicide problem?” It's a difficult question to answer.
Apr 2, 2018 The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention
How Can the U.S. Do a Better Job of Keeping Kids Safe at School?
Many proposals to improve school safety promote the use of technology, such as metal detectors and video cameras. How effective are these devices? The evidence is mixed.
Mar 26, 2018 Fox News Channel
Checklist of Best Practices Developed to Guide Development of Suicide Prevention Campaigns
Is your crisis line’s suicide-prevention communications effort working well enough? What should you be doing differently? Some help is available through a checklist published earlier this year.
Oct 25, 2017 Lifeline Network
Is America's Crisis 'System' in Crisis?
The United States has made life-saving progress on crisis support for veterans. Now other suicide prevention services need help. Progress made by the VA could provide a blueprint for improving suicide prevention services for all Americans.
Jul 17, 2016 U.S. News & World Report
Veterans Day 2015: Three Priorities for Preventing Veteran Suicide (And It's Not All on the VA!)
The suicide rate among veterans is three times that of nonveterans. Additional research and policy intervention in three important areas could help ensure that fewer veterans die at their own hands.
Nov 11, 2015 The RAND Blog
Helping the Most Vulnerable: Q&A with Rajeev Ramchand
Rajeev Ramchand discusses drug abuse, suicide, and how research can make a difference for society's most vulnerable.
Oct 26, 2015
Veterans Battle Mental Health Issues After Iraq and Afghanistan
Researchers have made great progress capturing the consequences of coping with injuries sustained in the theater of war, but the emerging picture is shadowed in grays. A series of recent findings presents a bleak portrait of the cost of modern war to service members, their families, and their health care providers.
Jun 4, 2015 U.S. News & World Report
Four Ways to Help Military Caregivers
As momentum continues to build, stakeholders across the board should keep in mind four broad recommendations for how to help military caregivers.
Apr 15, 2014 The RAND Blog
A World Without America's Military Caregivers
A world without military caregivers would be a harsher one for all, particularly for those who have served. Military caregivers' sacrifices improve the lives of wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans, more of whom would suffer without them.
Mar 31, 2014 The RAND Blog
Spotlight on America's Hidden Heroes: Military Caregivers
Despite military caregivers' vital contributions, little is known about their numbers, the burden of caregiving that they shoulder, or the resources that exist to support them. To shed light on these
Mar 24, 2014
They Also Serve: Understanding the Needs of Military Caregivers
Military families play a critical role in supporting U.S. servicemembers during deployment and afterwards. Equally vital but often less visible is the role played by those who care for the servicemembers who return with disabling injuries or illnesses and require long-term support beyond what the formal health care system provides.
Nov 18, 2013 The RAND Blog
Research Is a Fundamental Component of Suicide Prevention
While our research has taught us many things about suicide prevention we think additional research is critically needed in two areas, writes Rajeev Ramchand. The first is gun control. The second area is the quality of behavioral health care available to those who need it.
May 24, 2013 The RAND Blog
A National Strategy for Supporting Military Caregivers
The act of caring for a veteran takes a physical, mental, and economic toll on caregivers and their families. Giving caregivers the skills and resources they need to cope and thrive should be as much a priority as giving veterans medical care.
Mar 7, 2013 The RAND Blog
Teen Employment May Not Always Be a Boon for At-Risk Youth
For all teens, and especially those who have already experienced problems related to alcohol and drug use, it is essential to monitor the quality of work experiences and keep in mind that some work environments might increase risk for substance use.
Dec 18, 2012
Supporting Families Affected by Military Suicide Should Be a Priority for All
While many of these families fight for honor and respect from the DoD or support from the VA, the comfort that they need will not be provided by either institution, nor should it be. Rather, it is up to us—as their neighbors, coworkers, teachers, and students—to shower these families with the love and support they need and deserve, writes Rajeev Ramchand.
Nov 29, 2012 The RAND Blog
Parents: That Summer Job Could Be Teaching Your Youngster to Smoke
Workplaces across the world that rely on a teenage workforce, like supermarkets and fast food restaurants, need to do a better job protecting young people from starting to smoke, writes Rajeev Ramchand.
Aug 30, 2012 The RAND Blog
Preventing Military Suicides Is a Nationwide Effort
The military is experiencing a higher number of suicides than it has ever experienced at this time before. RAND research has a number of recommendations to prevent suicide among military personnel based.
Jun 14, 2012 The RAND Blog
In Memoriam
Not only would the delivery of quality behavioral care prevent suicides, but it would also aid in the recovery of the nearly 20 percent of service members with post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, writes Rajeev Ramchand.
May 29, 2011 Newsday
