The field of psychology—and more importantly, generations of veterans and service members—lost a remarkable advocate, mentor, and innovator with the passing of Dr. Walter Erich Penk, Jr. His career spanned more than six decades, and his contributions to military and veteran psychology fundamentally reshaped how we understand, treat, and support those living with trauma and mental illness.
6%
The percentage of all psychologists in the United States who are employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, according an opinion column in the JAMA Health Forum -- The Future of the VA—The Privatization Debate.
Parts I and II explored how opioids act on the brain and how American history — particularly its wars — helped fuel cycles of addiction. Now, we turn to the present. This final installment of “Who Can? We Can, Narcan!” focuses on the lifesaving tools that can interrupt that cycle, from medication-assisted treatment to emergency overdose reversal. In the military and veteran communities, where resilience is both a strength and a barrier to care, these interventions are transforming how we talk about and respond to overdose risk.
84
The number of military members killed in motorcycle crashes in FY 25, according to an article in Stars and Stripes -- US military’s rate of motorcycle accidents proves costly in lives, care and lost duty time.
The weekly Research Update contains the latest news, journal articles, and useful links from around the web. Some of this week's topics include:
● Identifying Priorities in Behavioral Health for Military Youth and Families.
● Alcohol Consumption Per Capita and Suicide: A Meta-Analysis.
● Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in People With Chronic Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.