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Research Core Home | Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention

Research Overview

How do we study Veteran suicide prevention?

At the Rocky Mountain MIRECC we approach Veteran suicide prevention by first looking at the many factors that can contribute to Veteran suicide. Some factors can contribute to suicide risk, while others may help protect Veterans. These could include:

• Mental and/or physical health conditions
• Environmental stressors (finances, interpersonal, etc.)
• Environmental supports (access to services, friends, family, etc.)
• Physical environment (location, climate, or altitude)
• Biological factors including microbiome
• Access to lethal means during crisis

In addition to studying these risk and protective factors, we also design and evaluate strategies to make Veterans’ lives better and safer. At any given time, our two sites (Denver Metro area CO and Salt Lake City UT) engage in over 100 research studies.

How do we research such a complicated topic?

Rocky Mountain MIRECC has researchers with the expertise to tackle each aspect of suicide prevention. Our researchers test scientific theories and proposed solutions using a building block approach called the Translational Model. Using this approach, we work to translate research from the lab into everyday care to make a difference in Veterans’ lives (please visit our Translational Model page to learn more).

Our programs and research are also aligned with the VA's National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide.

What does our research look like?

Our research takes place in VA Medical Centers and in smaller VA and community clinics in rural towns and large cities. We often partner with other labs and researchers, as well as Veterans, communities and providers working outside VA. Some of the ways we collect data includes:

• Animal models
• Brain imaging
• Surveys and interviews
• Analysis of public health data and trends
• Evaluating clinical interventions and treatments
• Evaluating and improving suicide prevention programs

Explore Rocky Mountain MIRECC research using buttons below:

• Understanding Transgender and Gender Diverse Veterans’ Experiences, Needs, and Preferences
• VA Patient Safety Center of Inquiry - Suicide Prevention Collaborative (PSCI-SPC)
• Home-Based Measurement of Circadian Timing in Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury and Insomnia (Home Circadian)
• Promoting mental health wellness and safety among Veteran firearm owners (FFAST)
• Assessing Social & Community Environments with National Data (ASCEND)
• Mental Healthcare Experiences of Women and Men Veterans Using and Not Using VA Healthcare
• Suicide Risk and Prevention among Asian American and Pacific Islander Veterans
• Perspectives on Preventing Firearm-Inflicted Suicide among Women Veterans
• Reproductive Health Care Settings for Upstream Suicide Prevention among Women Veterans
• Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education (MvM CoRE)
• Facilitating Assessment of At-Risk Sailors using Technology (FAAST)
• Advancing Suicide Prevention for Underserved Veterans (ASPIRE) Lab

Last Updated 27 March 2024

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