Research at CDP: Introducing the Sleep Ed-MC Study
By Jaime Rodden & Maegan Willing
The Center for Deployment Psychology Research Team is thrilled to announce the launch of Sleep Ed-MC!
About the Sleep Ed-MC Project
The Sleep Ed-MC project is a collaboration between experts from CDP, San Diego State University (SDSU), the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (USU), and the VA’s National Center for PTSD. Co-led by Drs. Emily Schmied (SDSU) and Maegan Willing (CDP), this study, titled "Reducing Suicidality through Improved Sleep Health" or "Sleep Ed-MC," addresses the critical issue of suicide prevention in the military. The study will compare three sleep programs tailored for military personnel to determine which program, or combination of programs, most effectively improves sleep health in Marines. The programs being tested include group training on healthy sleep habits, group leadership training to support the sleep of unit members, and the VA’s Insomnia Coach mobile app, which provides personalized recommendations for improving sleep.
The Big Picture
Suicide is a significant concern within the military, ranking as the second leading cause of death among service members. The Department of Defense is committed to preventing these tragedies by focusing on key risk factors, such as sleep health. Sleep disorders are common in military personnel, making this an important area for intervention. The Sleep Ed-MC study aims to explore large-scale public health programs that could improve sleep and mental health in Marines. We hope this research will help identify the most effective strategies for improving sleep health and, ultimately, mental well-being.
Participant Eligibility
The study consists of multiple phases. In the first phase, which took place in February, 2025, Marines provided insight into the culture, organizational structure, and operations at Camp Pendleton to inform the tailoring of the three sleep health programs. The second phase, which will begin in the fall of 2025, will test these programs in several companies across the I-Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton in California.
Learn More
To learn more about the Sleep Ed-MC study, reach out to our study team at cdp-research@usuhs.edu. We’re here to answer any questions and provide additional details. Stay tuned for more updates!
The Sleep Ed-MC study is funded by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).
The opinions in CDP Staff Perspective blogs are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Science or the Department of Defense.
Jaime Rodden is a Research Coordinator for the Center for Deployment Psychology (CDP). She received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Linfield University, and Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from California State University, Fullerton.
Maegan M. Paxton Willing, Ph.D., MPH, is a Research Psychologist (HJF) with the Center for Deployment Psychology (CDP) at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Willing’s research broadly examines mental health in military populations. Her primary research interests include the development, correlates, and treatment of sleep and posttraumatic stress disorder in service members, with a particular emphasis on posttraumatic nightmares.
By Jaime Rodden & Maegan Willing
The Center for Deployment Psychology Research Team is thrilled to announce the launch of Sleep Ed-MC!
About the Sleep Ed-MC Project
The Sleep Ed-MC project is a collaboration between experts from CDP, San Diego State University (SDSU), the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (USU), and the VA’s National Center for PTSD. Co-led by Drs. Emily Schmied (SDSU) and Maegan Willing (CDP), this study, titled "Reducing Suicidality through Improved Sleep Health" or "Sleep Ed-MC," addresses the critical issue of suicide prevention in the military. The study will compare three sleep programs tailored for military personnel to determine which program, or combination of programs, most effectively improves sleep health in Marines. The programs being tested include group training on healthy sleep habits, group leadership training to support the sleep of unit members, and the VA’s Insomnia Coach mobile app, which provides personalized recommendations for improving sleep.
The Big Picture
Suicide is a significant concern within the military, ranking as the second leading cause of death among service members. The Department of Defense is committed to preventing these tragedies by focusing on key risk factors, such as sleep health. Sleep disorders are common in military personnel, making this an important area for intervention. The Sleep Ed-MC study aims to explore large-scale public health programs that could improve sleep and mental health in Marines. We hope this research will help identify the most effective strategies for improving sleep health and, ultimately, mental well-being.
Participant Eligibility
The study consists of multiple phases. In the first phase, which took place in February, 2025, Marines provided insight into the culture, organizational structure, and operations at Camp Pendleton to inform the tailoring of the three sleep health programs. The second phase, which will begin in the fall of 2025, will test these programs in several companies across the I-Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton in California.
Learn More
To learn more about the Sleep Ed-MC study, reach out to our study team at cdp-research@usuhs.edu. We’re here to answer any questions and provide additional details. Stay tuned for more updates!
The Sleep Ed-MC study is funded by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).
The opinions in CDP Staff Perspective blogs are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Science or the Department of Defense.
Jaime Rodden is a Research Coordinator for the Center for Deployment Psychology (CDP). She received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Linfield University, and Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from California State University, Fullerton.
Maegan M. Paxton Willing, Ph.D., MPH, is a Research Psychologist (HJF) with the Center for Deployment Psychology (CDP) at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Willing’s research broadly examines mental health in military populations. Her primary research interests include the development, correlates, and treatment of sleep and posttraumatic stress disorder in service members, with a particular emphasis on posttraumatic nightmares.