Skip to page content

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Civilian Military Workforce
essay
Civilians Returning from War Zones Need More Support
May 18, 2020
Deployed civilians often work alongside the military in combat zones or other high-stress, high-risk areas. But when they return, their experience is much different. They come home to support that is often incomplete and insufficient, and sometimes entirely nonexistent.
Read More »

Suicide
essay
More Can Be Done to Save Veterans from Suicide
Nov 4, 2019
A decade of research at RAND has sought to focus the national conversation about suicide in general, and veteran suicide in particular, around solutions that work. The overwhelming message: We could do more to save the lives of veterans like Daniel Somers. Here is his story.
Read More »
Childhood Trauma
commentary
After School Shootings, Children and Communities Struggle to Heal
Ariella Iancu, Lisa H. Jaycox, Joie D. Acosta, Frank G. Straub, Samantha Iovan, Christopher Nelson, Mahshid Abir
Jul 19, 2019
Health Affairs Blog
School shootings leave wounds that affect students, school staff, families, and communities for years. Building community resilience, implementing evidence-based mental health support early, and providing access for survivors and the community immediately and in the long term could help promote healing and prevent more tragedy.
Read More »
Childhood Trauma
essay
Childhood Trauma Is More Common Than You Think. This School-Based Intervention Can Help
Apr 23, 2019
A program developed at RAND helps children exposed to trauma confront and subdue their stress and anxiety. The program grew out of the 1990s street violence of South Los Angeles and has since helped kids from Newtown to Fukushima. Researchers are tailoring this intervention for children in Puerto Rico whose lives were upended by hurricanes.
Read More »
Suicide
commentary
Preventing Suicide: Treat Mass Shooting Trauma Beyond Initial Tragedy
Joie D. Acosta, Lisa H. Jaycox
Apr 4, 2019
United Press International
The need for mental health support and suicide-prevention efforts targeting survivors of mass shootings, and the friends and families of victims, is great. Putting such programs in place could go a long way toward helping them heal, and preventing more tragedy.
Read More »
Military Caregivers
essay
Military Caregivers Share the Costs of War
Oct 30, 2017
Millions of veterans and service members receive care from family and friends who need support as well. Military caregivers sacrifice their time, their jobs, and even their health to provide a service worth billions of dollars to the United States.
Read More »
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
commentary
Raising Awareness of the Need for Collaborative Care to Treat PTSD
Lisa S. Meredith
Jun 23, 2017
The RAND Blog
Post-traumatic stress disorder affects nearly 8 percent of American adults from all walks of life. Research suggests that more work is needed to improve and adapt models of care for PTSD.
Read More »
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
commentary
Invisible Wounds: Closing the Gaps to More Effectively Address These Injuries
Terri Tanielian @TerriTanielian
Sep 29, 2016
George W. Bush Institute
Too few of the veterans who experience mental health issues get the help they need. Even fewer get the right care. Closing these gaps will require raising awareness about the barriers to care, and changing how the mental health care system is organized and delivers services.
Read More »
Suicide
commentary
Is America's Crisis 'System' in Crisis?
Rajeev Ramchand
Jul 17, 2016
U.S. News & World Report
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.
Read More »
Veterans Health Care
commentary
Book Review: 'Women at War'
Kayla M. Williams
Dec 21, 2015
Army Magazine
Today, women represent approximately 15 percent of the U.S. military but research on their specific physical and psychological health issues has remained relatively sparse. A new book, Women at War, attempts to change that.
Read More »
Civilian Military Workforce
commentary
A Frontline Civilian's Invisible Wounds of War
S. Rebecca Zimmerman
Jul 6, 2015
Los Angeles Times
For frontline civilians, daily life built around war often involves waking up on a remote base and working side by side with soldiers in hazardous places. They often don't get the care and support that they need, whether in an area of crisis and instability, or when they return home.
Read More »
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
commentary
Military Security Contractors Get PTSD, Too
Molly Dunigan, Carrie M. Farmer @carriefarmer
Jun 12, 2015
USA Today
Largely absent from the conversation about the use of military security contractors are the parallel issues of mental health and the deployment-related stress contractors can face.
Read More »
Military Veterans
commentary
Social Media as a Tool for Reaching Veterans in Need of Mental Health Care
Eric R. Pedersen @ericrpedersen
Jun 9, 2015
The RAND Blog
Reaching veterans to learn more about their mental health care seeking poses a conundrum. They are typically recruited for studies in clinical settings, so those who are not seeking care are not represented. Facebook may be a viable method to reach them.
Read More »
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
commentary
Veterans Battle Mental Health Issues After Iraq and Afghanistan
Terri Tanielian @TerriTanielian, Rajeev Ramchand
Jun 4, 2015
U.S. News & World Report
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.
Read More »
Veterans Health Care
commentary
Military Turns to Collaborative Care to Treat PTSD, Depression
Charles C. Engel @CharlesEngel
Nov 19, 2014
Psychiatric News
Collaborative care has been an important part of Army efforts to reach out to those struggling with PTSD and depression. It has brought a science-based solution to an essential military problem and has helped thousands of men and women in uniform in ways that also nudge the larger mental health system toward greater effectiveness for all Americans.
Read More »
Military Health and Health Care
commentary
Military and Veteran Mental Health: Why Should Psychiatrists Care?
Charles C. Engel @CharlesEngel
Aug 6, 2014
Psychiatric Times
What's happening in the mental health world of the U.S. military and veterans is of great interest to all American psychiatrists. The local impact of recent deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan runs much deeper than just the number of veterans in a particular practice or community.
Read More »
Military Families
blog
Ask Me Anything: Rajeev Ramchand on Military Caregivers
Jun 24, 2014
With military caregivers quickly becoming a topic of national discussion, RAND's Rajeev Ramchand hosted an
Read More »
Military Caregivers
commentary
Finding a New Normal: A Military Caregiver's Perspective
Kayla M. Williams
May 6, 2014
Blue Star Families
The landscape for caregivers remains very difficult. Many still need additional training on how to best provide care for their loved ones, respite so they can care for themselves, and other forms of support.
Read More »
Military Caregivers
commentary
Four Ways to Help Military Caregivers
Rajeev Ramchand, Terri Tanielian @TerriTanielian
Apr 15, 2014
The RAND Blog
As momentum continues to build, stakeholders across the board should keep in mind four broad recommendations for how to help military caregivers.
Read More »
Military Caregivers
commentary
A World Without America's Military Caregivers
Rajeev Ramchand, Terri Tanielian @TerriTanielian
Mar 31, 2014
The RAND Blog
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.
Read More »
Military Spouses
commentary
Dear Military Spouses: I'm Sorry
Kayla M. Williams
Feb 27, 2014
The Huffington Post
Kayla Williams describes her difficult transition from soldier to spouse, sergeant to civilian, team leader to caregiver. Two books by military wives opened her eyes to the challenges and rewards of marrying into the military, and the unique kind of service military families experience.
Read More »
Military Veterans
commentary
Will America Forget Its Veterans?
Kayla M. Williams
Feb 18, 2014
Christian Science Monitor
The needs of U.S. veterans will not end when the war does; they will just be beginning. Though over a lifetime veterans are more highly educated, employed, and paid than their civilian counterparts, the period of reintegration can be challenging.
Read More »
Civilian Military Workforce
commentary
Out of the Shadows, Into the Light: Why Americans Should Care About the Health of Contractors Deploying to Conflict Environments
Molly Dunigan, Carrie M. Farmer @carriefarmer
Jan 21, 2014
The RAND Blog
In contrast to the numerous mental health resources available to members of the U.S. military, very few (if any) resources are available to help private contractors struggling with mental health problems. It is in the best interest of all involved to ensure that contractors receive the support and treatment they need.
Read More »
Military Caregivers
commentary
They Also Serve: Understanding the Needs of Military Caregivers
Rajeev Ramchand, Terri Tanielian @TerriTanielian
Nov 18, 2013
The RAND Blog
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.
Read More »
Community Resilience
commentary
Moore Must Be Ready for Psychological Aftermath
Mahshid Abir
May 31, 2013
CNN
Ensuring the availability of needed mental health resources was critical in the immediate aftermath and recovery phase of the 2011 Joplin, Missouri tornado. Authorities in Oklahoma must ensure that such services are in place early so that Moore's residents can begin the long journey to recovery.
Read More »
Community Resilience
blog
Resources for Schools and Parents Following the Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
May 29, 2013
The toll of the tornado on school students in Moore, Oklahoma, cannot be overstated. To assist with recovery, RAND's CBITS program offers resources on psychological first aid for schools, as well as additional materials for educators and parents.
Read More »
Military Families
commentary
Research Is a Fundamental Component of Suicide Prevention
Rajeev Ramchand
May 24, 2013
The RAND Blog
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.
Read More »
Mental Health Treatment
blog
Retired General Chiarelli Discusses Perceptions of Post-Traumatic Stress
Dec 31, 2012
Ret. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, who was Army vice chief of staff, discusses why he disagrees with the idea that the post-traumatic stress soldiers suffer is a disorder with RAND president and CEO Michael Rich at RAND's Politics Aside event.
Read More »
Military Families
commentary
Supporting Families Affected by Military Suicide Should Be a Priority for All
Rajeev Ramchand
Nov 29, 2012
The RAND Blog
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.
Read More »
Military Veterans
commentary
We Need a Public-Private Approach to Supporting Veterans
Terri Tanielian @TerriTanielian
Nov 12, 2012
Newsday
Honoring the sacrifices of veterans should be front and center on our policy agenda and not limited to one day a year, says Terri Tanielian.
Read More »
Military Health and Health Care
blog
Stigma Reduction Programs Could Help Those with PTSD, but the Evidence Is Weak
Carrie M. Farmer @carriefarmer
Jul 3, 2012
Determining the effectiveness of programs designed to reduce the stigma of post-traumatic stress disorder is essential to helping servicemembers seek and receive the care they need.
Read More »
Special Needs Populations
blog
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Vulnerable Populations
Lisa S. Meredith
Jun 26, 2012
June is National PTSD Awareness Month and June 27th is PTSD Awareness Day, providing an opportunity to recognize the challenges faced by survivors of trauma who live with PTSD symptoms. RAND research is helping increase awareness about the disorder and inform policy about how to prevent and address it.
Read More »
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
blog
Resources for Servicemembers and Veterans with PTSD
Jun 21, 2012
As Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day approaches on June 27th, policymakers continue to look for ways to best help our nation's servicemembers and veterans with PTSD and other combat related mental health problems.
Read More »
Military Health and Health Care
commentary
Preventing Military Suicides Is a Nationwide Effort
Rajeev Ramchand
Jun 14, 2012
The RAND Blog
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.
Read More »
Childhood Trauma
blog
Helping Kids Cope with the Effects of Violence and Trauma
Lisa H. Jaycox
May 29, 2012
The impact of violence and trauma on children has led RAND and its partners to focus not only on studying the problem, but working collaboratively to find interventions that help address a significant public health need.
Read More »
Mental Health Treatment
blog
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Significant Public Health Problem
David M. Adamson
May 14, 2012
In recognition of National Mental Health Month, May 2012, we spotlight posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and RAND's work to advance understanding and treatment of this condition, which affects many more people than is commonly thought.
Read More »
Veterans Health Care
commentary
Bridging the Gaps in Treating Veterans with Post-Deployment Mental Health Problems
Terri Tanielian @TerriTanielian
Dec 5, 2011
AcademyHealth
Delivery of evidence-based care to all veterans with PTSD or depression would pay for itself—or even save money—within two years by improving productivity and reducing medical and mortality costs, writes Terri Tanielian.
Read More »
Military Families
commentary
In Memoriam
Rajeev Ramchand
May 28, 2011
Newsday
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.
Read More »
Veterans Health Care
commentary
War's Invisible Wounds
Terry L. Schell, Terri Tanielian @TerriTanielian, Lisa H. Jaycox
Sep 28, 2008
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Nearly 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan service veterans who have returned home -- about one in five -- may suffer from combat-stress-related mental health problems. Our veterans ought to get the best available treatments our nation can offer, but they don't, write authors Terry Schell, Terri Tanielian and Lisa Jaycox.
Read More »
commentary
Invisible Wounds of War
Kayla M. Williams
Jun 1, 2008
Voices of Tomorrow
According to a recent RAND Corporation study about these
Read More »