MIRECC / CoE

Publication Highlights

Articles and books authored by our affiliates enable us to share research and knowledge about mental health treatment with our Veteran, caregiver, provider, and research communities.

Highlighted Articles

Dr. Rachele Lipsky (first author) published “Association between Gulf War Illness and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among Gulf War Era Veterans” in the Journal of Psychiatric Research. This study used data from a national sample of Gulf War Veterans (N = 1142) who completed a survey of demographic, military, and health information. Findings suggest that the burden and negative impact of the chronic symptoms of Gulf War Illness may play a role in the occurrence of suicidal ideation in Gulf War Veterans.

Dr. Corey Hayes coauthored “Poor representation of rural counties of the United States in some measures of consumer broadband” (First author: C. A. Bogulski). The article was published in Telemedicine Reports. This study examined consumer internet speed test data from two organizations (M-Lab and Ookla for Good) to see if the number of tests per 1,000 residents varied across county-level rurality. Findings demonstrate the poor representation of residents from very rural counties in M-Lab and Ookla fixed data sets of user-generated internet speed tests. Additional data are needed to inform broadband infrastructure investment to identify those communities most left behind by broadband expansion efforts.

Drs. Claire Houtsma (first author) and Gala True published “Provider perspectives on healthcare system barriers to engaging caregivers of rural US Veterans in firearm suicide prevention” in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. This study examined healthcare system barriers to caregiver engagement in firearm suicide prevention, as seen by Suicide Prevention and Caregiver Support Program staff, to inform development of an intervention to increase involvement of caregivers in efforts to reduce Veteran firearm suicides. The study provides much needed perspective from VA staff in Suicide Prevention and Caregiver Support programs regarding barriers to involving caregivers in firearm suicide prevention efforts within the VA healthcare setting.

Last updated: October 22, 2025