Overview
Consistent with Syracuse University’s proud history of being recognized as the best place for veterans, the Center for Health Behavior Research & Innovation (CHB), in collaboration with the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), has established the Veteran & Military Behavioral Health Collaborative. The Collaborative integrates research, community outreach, and curricular development to provide a comprehensive, campus-wide resource in this critical area.
Key Components
- Interdisciplinary Integration:
The Collaborative unites experts from a broad range of fields—including Psychology, Psychiatry, Counseling, Public Health, Epidemiology, Social Work, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Military and Veteran Studies, Neuroscience, and others—to address the challenges faced by veteran and military populations. - Broad Impact:
By combining research, educational programming, and community engagement, the Collaborative provides a cohesive framework that strengthens Syracuse University’s overall capacity to advance veteran and military behavioral health.
Veteran & Military Behavioral Health Research Program
As a cornerstone of the Collaborative, the Veteran & Military Behavioral Health Research Program conducts rigorous, translational research that focuses on understanding and improving the behavioral health, well-being, and resilience of veteran and military-connected populations. The program leverages cross-disciplinary expertise and strategic partnerships, including with the IVMF, the VA, and other national/community organizations, to generate evidence that drives improvements in behavioral health outcomes among veterans and military-connected populations.
We believe that investigating and addressing the unique physical, mental, and psychosocial challenges of this community both enhances their well-being and enriches our collective understanding of stress, resilience, trauma, community integration, and much more. Through collaborative interdisciplinary research, we can repay the debt of gratitude owed to our veterans and military members who selflessly served their country.
Unique Challenges and Disparities
A significant body of research supports that veterans represent a critical health disparities group that faces amplified and under-addressed behavioral health challenges in terms of physical and mental well-being, suicide, substance use, homelessness, and socioeconomic factors, among others. Several barriers to care amplify these health disparities, including stigma, bureaucratic hurdles, geographical barriers, and the transition from military to civilian life. Through focused research and the development of tailored interventions, we aim to alleviate these disparities and enhance their overall quality of life.
Research and Collaboration
The field of veteran studies crosses many disciplines and modes of inquiry, and by leveraging shared expertise and resources we aim to increase opportunities to secure external funding for research studies that inform the development and implementation of innovative health behavior programs, treatments, and services designed to meet the specific needs of veterans, military-connected populations, and their families.
Education and Training
We aim to support the development of educational programs and training initiatives that increase awareness, knowledge, and engagement related to the health and well-being of veterans and military families. Facilitated by the shared expertise of the Syracuse University faculty and strategic local/national partners, there is also an opportunity to inform the development of workshops, seminars, and online programs/certificates that help prepare future researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals to effectively serve this population.