Among U.S. Army servicemembers who own firearms, carrying them, as well as other weapons, and storing them unsecured are associated with greater risk of suicide, according to a recent study.
Older Adults’ Approach to Cognitive Test Problems Can Help Predict Future Dementia Risk
How older adults approach cognitive test problems, such as the small mistakes they make and the strategies they use, can help predict who will later develop dementia, a finding that is helpful in detecting earlier any risk of cognitive decline, according to a recent study.
As U.S. Military Pilots Play a Central Role in the Iran War, Concerns Grow About Managing Their Fatigue
Unlike in civilian aviation, military pilots face irregular and extended duty hours, night operations, high-altitude missions and deployment environments with limited rest opportunities. In the Iran War, for example, flight operations can exceed 34 hours, increasing the risk of in-flight errors and reduced alertness. Countermeasures include behavioral interventions, operational adjustments and pharmacologic agents. In many cases, multifaceted strategies are the most successful in helping to fully restore performance without adequate rest.
New Executive Order Fast-Tracks the Use of Psychedelics to Treat Mental Health Disorders in Veterans
An executive order recently signed by President Donald Trump paves the way for expanded federal research into the use of psychedelics to treat mental health disorders, as well as directing the Food and Drug Administration to fast-track products shown to have promising results.
Gambling Issue Linked to Other Adverse Behavioral Health Outcomes in Military
Although gambling screening in the U.S. military was mandated in 2019, few studies have assessed the prevalence of experiencing gambling problems or its association with adverse behavioral health concerns.
Percentage Rates for Veteran Suicide Up, But New Report Also Underscored Areas of Improvement
A report released by VA shows the veteran suicide rate is the highest it has been since 2018, despite the intense focus the federal government has put on prevention in recent years.
Some ASMs Have More Severe Psychiatric, Behavioral Side Effects for Epilepsy Patients
What are the psychiatric and behavioral side effects (PBSEs) of antiseizure medications (ASMs) in adults with epilepsy?
Military Culture Might Play a Role in Eating Disorders Linked to Insomnia
In U.S. veterans, greater insomnia symptoms were associated with more eating disorder symptoms, such as binge‐eating and restrictions, according to a recent study.
Depression After War Experiences Persist; Suicide Risk Actually Can Increase Over Time
Mental health assessments should not only focus on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but also depression in military personnel, veterans and others exposed to war or terrorist related traumas, according to a new study.
Aeromedical Evacuations Higher for Mental Health Conditions During Decreased Military Conflict
During decreased military conflict, mental health conditions are often the leading cause of aeromedical evacuations. In fact, these conditions have been the key reason for aeromedical evacuations from the U.S. Central Command since 2009, according to a recent review article.
RAND Director Focuses on How Physical, Mental Health Interact in Servicemembers, Veterans
The RAND Corp. holds a rare place in the conversation around national healthcare. Sitting at the intersection of research and governance, its studies are given weight by Republicans and Democrats alike, especially when it comes to issues impacting veterans and servicemembers.
Working with Service Dogs, Female Veterans Had Both Biological and Psychological Benefits
Research for years has quantified the health advantages of dog ownership with increased physical activity, stress reduction and improved mental and social well-being. A new study suggested, however, that the benefits might go beyond that.
Study Uncovers the Hidden Toll of War-Zone Deployment on Families
Deployment to a war zone can leave lasting marks not only on servicemembers, but also on the loved ones who support them.
Childhood Adverse Experiences Appear to Affect Veterans’ Mental Health Quality Post-Military Discharge
The quality of a veteran’s mental health in the few years following discharge is determined not only by exposure to combat, but by myriad factors, including gender, length of deployment and childhood trauma, according to a recently published study by researchers at Penn State.
Pandemic Significantly Affected Mental Health of Military Healthcare Workers
The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically increased the mental health burden on military healthcare providers, according to a new study.
DBT Possibly More Effective for Veterans With Co-Morbid BPD, PTSD
For patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is considered a frontline treatment for reducing impulsivity and suicidality and improving emotion regulation, according to a new study.
Emerging Pharmacotherapies Offer Hope in the Battle Against Military, Veteran Suicide
For the men and women who have served in uniform, depression is not merely a clinical diagnosis but a potentially lethal threat that demands aggressive, evidence-based intervention.
Phase 3 trial Demonstrates 63% Reduction in Schizophrenia Relapse Risk
In an era where post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury dominate discussions of military and veteran mental health, schizophrenia spectrum disorders can be overlooked—despite the reality that young adults beginning military service are often at the age when schizophrenia symptoms first emerge.
Suicide Rates in Post 9/11 Veterans Rose From 2006 to 2020 Before Decline
Veterans have higher suicide rates compared to the general U.S. population, with suicide rates among post 9/11 veterans steadily increasing from 2006 to 2020 and then declining from 2020 to 2022, according to a recent research letter.
New Approach Shows Promise for Veterans With Binge-Eating Disorder
A new clinical trial suggests that a novel intervention targeting how veterans respond to food cues may be more effective than traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for reducing binge-eating.
Clinical Pharmacists Could Improve Hypertension Management in Rural Areas
Clinical pharmacy practitioners have a crucial role in managing resistant hypertension, and expanding their role could be beneficial, particularly in rural areas where in-person visits aren’t always possible, according to a recent case study.
Veterans With Mental Health Conditions Less Satisfied With VA-Purchased Community Care
U.S. veterans with mental health conditions may be less satisfied with their experience with VA-purchased community care, highlighting a need to improve community care in this subpopulation of veterans, according to a recent study.
Veterans With Less-Than-Honorable Discharges Face Elevated Suicide Risk
Veterans transition out of military service for many reasons, but how they leave—specifically, the character of their discharge—may carry serious consequences for their long-term mental health, according to a new study.
Small Set of Risk Factors Identified for Subsequent Veteran Suicide
The standardized suicide risk assessment that has been implemented across the VHA healthcare system appears to only identify a few concepts that are associated with subsequent suicide, including suicidal ideation, firearm access and preparatory behaviors, according to a recent study.
VA Committee Hears About Challenges Getting Community Mental Healthcare
The Republican focus on further expanding VA-funded community care has been fueled, in part, by reports from veterans and service organizations detailing the hurdles they have had to go through to obtain care for themselves or their clients.
Long-term Opioid Use Can Lead to Neurocognitive Symptoms
Opioid-related harm might be signaled early on by neurocognitive symptoms (NCS).
Record Number of Benefits Claims Relate to Military Sexual Trauma
The end of 2024 saw a record number of servicemembers filing VA benefits claims related to military sexual trauma. According to VA leaders, that is the result of increased outreach by the department.
Memory Recall Differs Across Common Neurological, Psychiatric Conditions
Memory performance is a vital cognitive function crucial for daily life and overall well-being. Impairments in memory are associated with various neurological, neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms Linked to Sleep Disturbance, Cannabis-Use Disorder
In bipolar disorder patients, having cannabis-use disorder and a natural tendency to go to sleep and awaken late are associated with more severe mood symptoms, according to a recent study.
VA/DoD Guideline Update Reflects Newest Therapies for Headaches
Expanded recommendations for treatment, preventive therapies and nonpharmacologic therapies are among noteworthy changes in the recently updated VA and Department of Defense (DoD) Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Headache.