About CSIP

The Combat Stress Intervention Program (CSIP) is a three-year, Department of Defense funded research grant to examine the mental health needs of Reserve and National Guard veterans returning to Southwestern Pennsylvania from deployments supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

CSIP and its hospital partners Conemaugh Health Systems and Highlands Hospital will investigate ways to eliminate barriers to mental health care. CSIP will also engage mental health care providers, family members, and the general community to help them to understand how they can better serve and support the veteran population.

Key Program Activities

Year 1: CSIP and research partner Clemson University will survey OEF/OIF National Guard and Reserve veterans throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania. CSIP will conduct focus groups with veterans' family members and loved ones.

Year 2: Using results from the Year 1 survey, CSIP and Clemson University will create a community awareness campaign to raise awareness of combat stress & PTSD, and to help reduce the stigma sometimes associated with seeking mental health services. Hospital partners Conemaugh Health Systems and Highlands Hospital will implement the community awareness campaign.

Year 3: To assess the effectiveness of Year 1 and Year 2 activities, CSIP and Clemson University will re-survey National Guard and Reserve veterans, and CSIP will conduct family focus groups. CSIP will a community awareness "package" that can be used in other U.S. communities.

Partners:

Funding:

CSIP is sponsored by the U.S. Dept of Defense Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) and the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA), Ft. Detrick, MD. Contract No.: W81XWH-07-1-0593, Modification P0001.

Supporters:

CSIP is affiliated with the Washington & Jefferson College – Department of Psychology.

Contract support is provided to CSIP by: