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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

Commentary
Outside-the-Box Solutions to Mental Health Problems
Many innovative ways to deliver mental health services in the UK aim to benefit individuals, industry, government, and the economy.
Oct 19, 2016
News Release
Potential Impact of Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy on People with Mental Health Needs
Online platforms or mobile applications designed to help tackle mental health illnesses such as depression, anxiety, or insomnia have grown significantly in the past two years and have had a positive impact on users.
Oct 19, 2016
Commentary
Invisible Wounds: Closing the Gaps to More Effectively Address These Injuries
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.
Sep 29, 2016
Commentary
Who's Funding Mental Health Research Worldwide?
The size and diversity of mental health research is significant, but it remains a loosely defined field in which funders tend not to spell out what counts as mental health. An outline of the current state of mental health research funding worldwide helps to address the huge challenges of mental illness.
Aug 17, 2016
Commentary
Patients with Severe Schizophrenia Aren't Getting the Help They Need
Clozapine has proven effective for patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, but the health system is poorly configured to provide it. The drug has possible side effects that require extra patient monitoring, but it saves costs by reducing hospitalizations.
Jul 25, 2016
Solution
Improving Psychological Wellbeing and Work Outcomes in the UK
Mental illness is increasing among the working-age population in the United Kingdom and is associated with high economic and social costs; it is one of the leading reasons that people claim sickness benefits.
Jul 22, 2016
Commentary
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
News Release
Suicide Prevention Hotlines in California Could Expand Digital Offerings and Partnerships with Health Systems to ...
Suicide prevention hotlines in California respond to callers in need and reduce their distress. They could reach more people and improve services by expanding digital offerings such as chat and establishing programs to monitor and improve quality.
Jul 12, 2016
Essay
The Resilience of Military Families
Deployment of a spouse and parent can shake a military family to its core. But according to RAND research, these families display remarkable resilience.
Jun 16, 2016
News Release
Centrally Assisted Telecare for Military Members with PTSD/Depression Shows Improved Results
Military members who visited a primary care clinic while suffering from PTSD and depression reported fewer symptoms and better mental health functioning a year after enrolling in a treatment program that included specially trained care managers and telephone therapy options.
Jun 13, 2016
Commentary
A New Prescription for Sleepless Americans: Take Advice, Not a Pill
New guidelines from the American College of Physicians favor behavioral therapy over meds as the first-line treatment for insomnia. However, the ACP's recommendation will not in itself raise the level of access to optimal care for insomnia patients.
May 9, 2016
News Release
California Mental Health Stigma-Reduction Campaign Creates Economic Benefits for the State
California's social marketing campaign to reduce stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness may have positive economic effects by increasing employment and worker productivity. For every $1 invested in the stigma-reduction effort, the state should receive an estimated $36 through higher tax collections.
Apr 14, 2016
News Release
Changing the Mental Health Climate on College Campuses Improves Student Outcomes and Benefits Society
If every California public college student with a current mental health problem or recent mental health-related academic impairment were to study on a campus with a culture supportive of mental wellness, the chances of that student getting the care they need would increase by almost 40 percent.
Apr 1, 2016
Commentary
New Depression-Screening Guidelines Could Help Both Mother and Child
Behavioral health professionals and community agencies often do not consider the impact of parental depression on young children or focus on the adult's role as a parent. New guidelines recommending depression screening during primary care visits for pregnant women and new mothers are a critical first step.
Mar 18, 2016
Commentary
At the 2016 Oscars, Transgender Health Issues Are in the Spotlight
By inviting “The Danish Girl” to Hollywood's most prestigious awards party, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is helping to shine a spotlight on transgender issues — and reflecting a larger cultural moment at the same time.
Feb 26, 2016
News Release
Areas of Excellence and Need for Improvement Found in Quality of Mental Health Care Provided by the Military
The military health system performs well in following up with patients after they are discharged from a mental health hospitalization. But some areas of care for PTSD and depression need improvement. For example, although most patients received at least one psychotherapy visit, the number and timing of subsequent visits may be inadequate.
Feb 18, 2016
Commentary
Book Review: 'Women at War'
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.
Dec 21, 2015
News Release
Campus Programs Increase Proportion of California College Students Receiving Mental Health Services, Yielding a ...
Campus prevention and early intervention programs increased the proportion of California college students receiving mental health services by more than 10 percent. More students will likely graduate, which increases an individual's lifetime earnings and benefits society.
Dec 10, 2015
Blog
Hurricane Katrina: 10 Years After the Storm
This weekend marks 10 years since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast. As the region struggled to cope and rebuild after the storm, RAND experts worked on solutions to the region's long-term challenges.
Aug 27, 2015
Commentary
A Frontline Civilian's Invisible Wounds of War
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.
Jul 6, 2015

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RAND Topic:
Mental Health and Illness

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Katherine E. Watkins

Senior Physician Policy Researcher

Katherine Watkins (she/her) is a senior physician policy researcher at RAND, and a board-certified practicing psychiatrist, and a professor of policy analysis at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. She uniquely combines a research background in substance abuse and mental health treatment services…
Margaret A. Maglione

Adjunct Researcher

Margaret Maglione is an adjunct researcher at the RAND Corporation. For many years, she was the associate director of the Southern California Evidence-Based Practice Center (EPC), one of the leading institutions worldwide for the creation of systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and other…

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