Commentary and Testimony

Research in Brief: Comprehensive Suicide Prevention in Law Enforcement

Moving forward, police chiefs and those responsible for ensuring police officers’ health and well-being must use science as their guide to promote the strategies agencies are using and that are effective, tweak those that are effective but might not be working as well as they could, and halt those that may cause harm.

Police Chief Magazine (June 2020)

Can the National Call to Prevent Gun Violence Reduce Suicides?

These findings do not prove that guns cause people to end their own lives. Nevertheless, they suggest that limiting access to firearms by those at heightened risk of suicide may help reduce the nation’s increasing suicide rate.

With Andrew Morral

Psychiatric Services (November 2018)

Suicide Prevention in California: Three Goals for Developing a Statewide Plan

We must adopt the attitude that the time to end suicide is now. This will require first stabilizing the increasing trend in suicide deaths, then reversing it.

Testimony presented before the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (May 2018)

Comparing Suicide Rates: Making an Apples to Apples Comparison

The differences between the Army and general populations go beyond soldiers' gender and age profiles… When accounting for suicide rates, do these differences matter, just like gender and age do?

RAND.org (April 2018)

How Can the US Do a Better Job of Keeping Kids Safe at School?

… if investments are made in technology alone without taking into consideration school climates—and how engaged and welcomed students feel in their classrooms—the answer to the question “Is the U.S. doing enough to keep its students safe?” is likely to be a resounding “no.”

With Jessica Saunders and Heather SchwartzFox News (March 2018)

Preventing Veteran Suicide: The Critical Role of Community-Based Prevention

… not all veterans will ultimately access VA care, which is why community-based suicide prevention is a necessary part of preventing veteran suicide.

Testimony presented before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (April 2017)

A State of Emergency

If the United States is going to demand more from the crisis services the VA provides its veterans, it should also demand more from the system that provides crisis services to everyone.

U.S. News & World Report (July 2016)

Veterans Day 2015: Three Priorities for Preventing Veteran Suicide (And It's Not All on the VA!)

…the United States must remain vigilantly focused on the majority of veterans living today: men over age 45, who comprise nearly 75% of all veterans.

RAND.org (November 2015)

Hidden Heroes: Caregivers to America's Ill, Injured, and Wounded Service Members and Veterans

… research is urgently needed to identify which services being offered are reducing caregiver burden and distress, improving the caregiving support that is being provided, and ultimately improving service member and veteran well-being.

Testimony presented before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Health (December 2014)

Suicide Prevention in California: Strategies from Science

… focusing strategically on efforts that promote proper storage and handling of firearms, like the current campaign in Shasta County, is a smart way to tackle firearm suicides, and may be particularly pertinent in the Northern region of the state.

Testimony presented before the California State Senate Select Committee on Mental Health (September 2013)

A National Strategy for Supporting Military Caregivers

The act of caring for a veteran takes a physical, mental, and economic toll on caregivers and their families.

With Terri Tanielian

RAND.org (March 2013)

Supporting Families Affected by Military Suicide Should Be a Priority for All

… it is up to us—as their neighbors, coworkers, teachers, and students—to shower these families with the love and support they need and deserve.

RAND.org (November 2012)

Workplace Strategies Are Needed to Protect Youth Across the Globe From Starting to Smoke

Instead of restricting young peoples' opportunity to work, comprehensive prevention is needed that targets this important population of youth entering the workforce.

Journal of Adolescent Health (September 2012)

Parents: That Summer Job Could Be Teaching Your Youngster to Smoke

… if your son or daughter is a non-smoker, your child is at increased risk for starting to smoke cigarettes when he or she starts working part-time during the school year.

RAND.org (August 2012)

Preventing Military Suicide Is a Nationwide Effort

The numbers of suicides among military personnel is a reminder for us involved in prevention to remain vigilant and work even harder. Let it be a wake-up call to the nation to assume some of the responsibility as well.

RAND.org (June 2012)

In Memoriam

As U.S. servicemen and women are honored this Memorial Day, we should not forget those who died by their own hands…

RAND.org (May 2011)