Deployment Psychology Blog

Research Update: 15 February 2018

Research Update Icon

The weekly research update contains the latest news, journal articles and useful links from around the web. Some of this week's topics include:
● Assessing Changes in Alcohol Use and Alcohol Use Disorder Prevalence in the United States: Evidence From National Surveys From 2002 Through 2014. 
● The Origin of Spousal Resemblance for Alcohol Use Disorder. 

● Military Personnel Who Seek Health and Mental Health Services Outside the Military.

Guest Perspective: Think Outside of the Box

As medical practitioners, it’s easy to get into routines, customary practice guidelines and well-organized treatment regimes.  I’m well aware, as with any situation or job, it can be very challenging and frightening to step outside of your comfort zone and push the boundaries. Yet, every single patient and situation is different.  Each person is unique, has a different story, and is looking to you for help. Let’s face it, sometimes you run across that unicorn; the square peg that will not fit in that round hole. That is why I have been asked to write to you today.  I’m here to share with you a story, my story about a life and a family that was saved by two mental health practitioners thinking outside of that box.  Those practitioners brought a soldier out of what seemed like a hopeless situation that had baffled doctors across the country for over a decade.

Research Update: 8 February 2018

Research Update Icon

The weekly research update contains the latest news, journal articles and useful links from around the web. Some of this week's topics include:
● The Zero Suicide Model: Applying evidence-based suicide prevention practices to clinical care.
● Posttraumatic Stress and Suicidality Among Firefighters: The Moderating Role of Distress Tolerance.
● Associations of Stress Exposures and Social Support with Subsequent Long- Term Mental Health Outcomes Among U.S. Iraq War Veterans.

Staff Perspective: Soul Asylum Rocks the Troops in the Middle East

Carin Lefkowitz, Psy.D.

It’s easy to say “I support the troops.”  It’s quite another thing to leave your family during the holidays, travel 24 hours to the other side of the world, clear multiple levels of security, and provide free entertainment to deployed Service members.  However, this is what the band Soul Asylum did recently.   In late December, I talked with lead guitarist Ryan Smith about performing for Service members, morale abroad, and the experience of being a civilian visitor in a deployed setting.

Pages