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Mental Health and Illness

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Many diseases, injuries, and maladies are associated with psychological or physical impairment that affect mental health. RAND research covers a broad range of mental health and illness topics, including autism spectrum disorders, teen depression, disparities in mental health care, and post-traumatic stress (PTSD) among military veterans and survivors of natural disasters.

Commentary
Terror and the Secondary Trauma of Social Media
As graphic images from Israel and Gaza proliferate on social media, it is likely that these images are having significant negative impacts on the mental health and well-being of many. Mitigating their impact on global mental health might require making hard choices and doing the work to forge community bonds that prioritize everyone's well-being.
Nov 4, 2023
Essay
Therapeutic Use of Psychedelics in Treating PTSD and Depression Among Veterans
Clinical trials have shown that psychedelics can have a positive effect on mental health conditions like PTSD or depression for some people. Enthusiasm for these treatments has grown among veterans and providers who work with military populations. The VA should invest in research and provide guidance on psychedelics.
Nov 8, 2023

Explore Mental Health and Illness

Report
Evaluation of Los Angeles County's 2023 Mental Health Campaigns: Identifying the Reach and Impact of the Take Action for Mental Health Los Angeles County and Do Worthwhile Work Campaigns
This report describes the evaluation of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health’s 2023 mental health prevention and early intervention and mental health workforce campaigns.
Nov 30, 2023
Journal Article
Growth in Suicide Rates Among Children During the Illicit Opioid Crisis
This paper shows how the transition of the opioid crisis to illicit opioids increased suicide rates among children.
Nov 29, 2023
Blog
'Israel's 9/11,' Promoting the 988 Hotline, the Future of Space: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on why the Oct. 7 attack wasn't Israel's 9/11, humanity's future approach to space, the pressing need to ensure more people know about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and more.
Nov 17, 2023
Commentary
Improving Behavioral Health Care in the Military Health System
What can be done to ensure service members have timely and equitable access to high-quality behavioral health care?
Nov 16, 2023
Commentary
How Do We Stop Relying on 911 to Handle Mental Health Crises?
Almost half of Americans are afraid that 911 is not a safe option to call for someone undergoing a behavioral health problem—and with good reason. Broader advertising and outreach about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is necessary. People simply can't call what they don't know about.
Nov 15, 2023
Journal Article
Telehealth Adoption by Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facilities in the COVID-19 Pandemic
The study examined temporal and geographic trends in telehealth availability at U.S. behavioral health treatment facilities and risk factors for not offering telehealth.
Nov 13, 2023
Tool
CLARO Implementation Manual: Strategies and Supports for Successful Implementation of the CLARO Intervention
This manual describes how to implement the Collaboration Leading to Addiction Treatment and Recovery from Other Stresses (CLARO) intervention, which adapts the Collaborative Care Model for adults with opioid use disorder and depression and/or PTSD.
Nov 13, 2023
Periodical
RAND Review: November-December 2023
Features explore the use of psychedelics to address depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders among veterans, and the prevalence of food insecurity among active-duty military families and veterans.
Nov 9, 2023
Report
The Road to Reintegration: Status and Continuing Support of the U.S. Air Force's Wounded, Ill, and Injured
How do wounded, injured, or ill airmen feel about their medical and nonmedical care and the services provided by the U.S. Air Force? The authors of this report examine the quality of support provided to those who are wounded, ill, or injured.
Nov 1, 2023
Journal Article
A Qualitative Investigation of Preparedness for the Launch of 988: Implications for the Continuum of Emergency Mental Health Care
On July 16, 2022, the 988 mental health crisis hotline launched nationwide. We conducted 15 qualitative interviews with state and local mental health program directors representing 10 states to explore planning for 988.
Oct 25, 2023
News Release
RAND Factbook Highlights Demographic, Mental Health and Labor Participation of Military Veterans
A factbook, accompanied by a collection of infographics, explores trends and estimates about the demographics of veterans. It focuses on the size, sex, age, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, and geographic distribution of the veteran population as compared with nonveterans.
Oct 24, 2023
Infographic
Prevalence of Past-Year Serious Psychological Distress Among U.S. Veterans
Certain subgroups of veterans — including female veterans, veterans aged 18–34, multiracial veterans, and bisexual veterans — experienced past-year serious psychological distress at rates significantly higher than the overall veteran population.
Oct 24, 2023
Report
A Summary of Veteran-Related Statistics
What are some trends and statistics among the U.S. veteran population? Baseline estimates related to veterans' demographics, mental health, and labor market outcomes can support the work of policymakers and researchers focused on veteran-related issues.
Oct 24, 2023
Testimony
Improving Treatment Outcomes for Veterans with Mental Health Conditions
Current treatments for veterans experiencing PTSD and other mental health conditions are largely effective but they do not work for everyone. More treatments that yield better outcomes are needed. With sustained research investment and careful planning, psychedelic-assisted therapies hold great promise to improve care for veterans.
Oct 19, 2023
Journal Article
Estimating Psychiatric Bed Shortages in the US
The US is confronting an urgent and worsening shortage of psychiatric beds. RAND researchers identify the challenges in estimating the shortage and recommend a data-driven approach.
Oct 16, 2023
Journal Article
Perspectives on Financing Strategies for Evidence-Based Treatment Implementation in Youth Mental Health Systems
This study collected quantitative and qualitative survey data on how youth mental health system decision-makers viewed financing strategies that support implementation and sustainment of evidence-based treatments.
Oct 13, 2023
Blog
Nuclear Deterrence, Russia and Iran, Deepfakes: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on how much is “enough” for U.S. nuclear forces, the budding Russia-Iran partnership, the challenge of detecting deepfakes, and more.
Oct 6, 2023
Journal Article
Utilization and Spending on Mental Health Services Among Children and Youths With Commercial Insurance
In this study, we examined telehealth, in-person, and overall pediatric mental health service utilization and spending rates from January 2019 through August 2022.
Oct 5, 2023

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RAND Topic:
Mental Health and Illness

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Rachel M. Burns

Senior Quantitative Analyst

Rachel M. Burns is a senior quantitative analyst at the RAND Corporation. During her tenure at RAND, she has worked on projects focused on disaster response and recovery operations, neighborhood influences on health, substance abuse and drug policy, unmanned aerial vehicles, the mental health…
Samer Atshan

Assistant Policy Researcher

Samer Atshan is an assistant policy researcher at RAND and a Ph.D. student at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. His research focuses on understanding social and psychiatric epidemiological outcomes relating to mental health, behavioral health, well-being, loneliness, and social isolation. He is…

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