VISN 19 MIRECC Staff: Sean Barnes PhD

Sean M. Barnes PhD

Title: VISN 19 MIRECC Psychology Fellow

Contact information:
303.399.8020 ext. 4237
Sean.Barnes2@va.gov

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Research Projects

Home-Based Mental Health Evaluation (HOME): A Model for Assisting Suicidal Veterans with the Transition from Inpatient to Outpatient Settings

Research Team: Bridget B. Matarazzo PsyD, Michael H. Allen MD, Sean M. Barnes PhD, Herbert Nagamoto MD, Deborah Yurgelun-Todd PhD, Lisa A. Brenner PhD

Project Summary: The intent of the proposed clinical demonstration project, Home-Based Mental Health Evaluation (HOME) is to enhance the VA infrastructure for ensuring that Veterans with recent suicidal crises receive the care they need during the often difficult transition from psychiatric inpatient hospitalization to home. This will be accomplished by meeting Veterans in the home environment to review and revise aftercare plans. The primary goal of the HOME project is to increase engagement with aftercare, and decrease the risk of suicide during this time of transition and elevated suicide risk. The HOME demonstration project will be conducted in Denver and Salt Lake City.

Keywords: Evidence-Based Treatments, Suicide Prevention

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Recent Presentations

Does a history of mild traumatic brain injury increase suicide risk in Veterans with PTSD?

3/14/2012

Sean M. Barnes PhD

University of Colorado, Department of Psychiatry Junior Faculty Poster Session

Keywords: PTSD, Suicide Prevention, TBI

PowerPoint | PDF

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Recent Publication

Barnes, S.M., Walter, K.H., & Chard, K.M. (2012). Does a history of mild traumatic brain injury increase suicide risk in veterans with PTSD? Rehabilitation Psychology, 57, 18-26.

Objective: Research shows that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) independently increase suicide risk; however, scant research has investigated whether mTBI increases suicide risk above and beyond the risk associated with PTSD alone. Design: The current research compared suicide risk factors among a matched sample of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) military personnel and veterans with PTSD alone or PTSD and a history of an mTBI. Results: Differences in the assessed risk factors were small and suggest that if PTSD and mTBI are associated with elevations in suicide risk relative to PTSD alone, the added risk is likely mediated or confounded by PTSD symptom severity. Conclusion: This finding highlights the importance of screening and treating military personnel and veterans for PTSD. Future explication of the impact of TBI-related impairments on suicide risk will be critical as we strive to ensure safety and optimize care for our military personnel and veterans.

Keywords: PTSD, Suicide, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

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Brenner LA, Barnes SM. (2012). Facilitating Treatment Engagement During High-Risk Transition Periods: A Potential Suicide Prevention Strategy. American Journal of Public Health, Supplement 1, Vol 102, No. S1

Abstract not available

Keywords: Suicide

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