Given the unprecedented demands on the U.S. military since 2001 and the risks posed by stress and trauma, there has been growing concern about the prevalence and consequences of sleep problems. This first-ever comprehensive review of military sleep-related policies and programs, evidence-based interventions, and barriers to achieving healthy sleep offers a detailed set of actionable recommendations for improving sleep across the force.

Problematic Internet Use (PIU) is a behavioral syndrome characterized by excessive and compulsive online activities, symptons of tolerance and withdrawal, functional impairment and, often, other mental health problems. This report reviews the scientific literature on the epidemiology, prevention, and treatment of PIU with the goal of informing Air Force policies to curb PIU's negative impact on operations and the mental health of Airmen.

Research documents increased and problematic alcohol use during study abroad experiences for college students. In addition, study abroad students may be a self-selecting subgroup of students who drink at greater rates and experience more consequences than non-study abroad students both prior to and after trips. Despite increasing numbers of students studying abroad each year and growing concerns about this high-risk event, there is limited research available documenting efficacious preventive programs with these students. Previous work suggests perceptions of study abroad peer drinking and host country native adult drinking are risk factors for increased alcohol use while abroad, while components related to positive Sojourner Adjustment (i.e., the process of positive and healthy adjustment among individuals establishing temporary residencies in new cultures) may protect against problematic use. Employing a 2 x 2 longitudinal randomized intervention design with an assessment only control condition, the present study sought to prevent increased and problematic alcohol use by correcting misperceptions of study abroad student and host country native drinking norms and by promoting positive and healthy adjustment into the host culture through brief online personalized feedback interventions. A sample of 343 5Sojourner Adjustment content.

RAND evaluated the Unified Behavioral Health Center for Military Veterans and Their Families, a new model of behavioral health care that provides colocated and coordinated care for veterans and their families.

Veterans who have served in the military since September 11, 2001, are at particularly high risk for co-occurring substance use disorders (SUDs) and mental health disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder and depression. Many treatment facilities require abstinence from substances prior to admission for mental health care, but the combination of symptoms that these disorders present makes them difficult to treat separately. Thus, integrated care—in which both SUDs and mental health problems are addressed concurrently—is a recommended form of treatment for these veterans. To help improve access to effective treatment for these veterans, the authors review the literature on efficacious approaches to treating SUDs alone and alongside mental health disorders. They also present findings from an analysis of the availability of treatment centers that offer SUD care for veterans and from a series of interviews and site visits with treatment providers. The authors conclude with guidance and recommendations to support the delivery of quality care for veterans with SUDs and, ultimately, to help expand and enhance treatment opportunities for veterans with co-occurring SUDs and mental health disorders.

Veterans are at greater risk of behavioral health problems than the civilian population, with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and substance use disorders (SUDs) among the most common. Co-occurrence of SUDs with other behavioral health disorders is also high among veterans. Veterans continue to face barriers to accessing high-quality behavioral health care. In addition to logistical barriers and stigma, the co-occurrence of disorders can prevent veterans from getting the care they need. Specifically, traditional treatment models for those with co-occurring behavioral health problems have required patients to seek treatment for substance use before they qualify for targeted, empirically based treatments for PTSD and depression, because heavy substance use can hinder the progress and completion of such treatments. However, veterans may be using substances to manage symptoms of PTSD and depression. Treating substance use problems concurrently with PTSD or depression as part of an integrated approach to care is one promising route to ensuring that veterans receive the care they need without delay. This brief working paper reviews the research on co-occurring behavioral health problems and treatments among veterans and outlines several recommendations for improving veterans' access and expanding their treatment options.

American veterans and their family members struggle with behavioral health problems, yet few engage in treatment to address these problems. Barriers to care include trouble accessing treatment and limited communication between civilian and military health care systems, which treat veterans and their family members separately. Even though the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is making efforts to address barriers to care, more work is needed to effectively serve veterans and their families. Public-private partnerships have been discussed as a potential solution and could include collaborations between a public agency, such as the VA, and a private organization, such as a veteran service organization, private industry, or private hospital. Despite the call for such partnerships, not much is known about what a public-private partnership would entail for addressing behavioral health concerns for veterans and their families. The health care literature is sparse in this area, and published examples and recommendations are limited. Thus, the authors wrote this report to inform the creation of public-private partnerships to better serve veterans and their families. The report outlines nine key components for public-private partnerships addressing veteran behavioral health care. These components are supported by qualitative interview data from five successful public-private partnerships that serve veterans and their families. This report will assist policymakers in the VA and other federal agencies in developing and fostering public-private partnerships to address the behavioral health care needs of veterans and their families. The report also discusses next steps for research and policymaking efforts with regard to these partnerships.