Deployment Psychology Blog

The collaboration study "Turning Training into Action: Translating Training of Behavioral Health Providers into Evidence-Based Practices" is led by Dr. Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth from the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University, with CDP site-PI Jeffrey Cook. The study utilizes the Star Behavioral Health Providers (SBHP) program, a training and referral system used by the National Guard Bureau to elevate the standard of community-based behavioral health services. SBHP recruits and equips community providers with evidence-based knowledge through online and in-person training delivered to thousands across the country.

I’m a military spouse—a dependent, as we are often referred to in the military community. That word frequently comes with a sting, implying passivity, lack of contribution, and sometimes even entitlement. But my story, like many others, is much more complex than being defined by a label.