VISN 19 MIRECC Staff: Bridget Bulman Psy.D.

United States Department of Veterans Affairs

MIRECC Centers

Research Projects
Presentations

Bridget Matarazzo, PsyD: Title: Clinical/Research Psychologist
Co-Director of the Suicide Consultation Service; Contact:
303.399.8020 ext. 5617
bridget.matarazzo@va.gov

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Research Projects

Burden Belonging and Response to Pain in Veterans: Research Team: Peter M. Gutierrez PhD, Lisa A. Brenner PhD, Theresa D. Hernández PhD, Nazanin H. Bahraini PhD, Bridget B. Matarazzo PsyD, James Pease MSW, Jennifer Olson-Madden PhD; This study is designed to test the psychometric properties of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ-12) and the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale (ACSS) in a sample of military veterans, something which has not been done. These measures were developed to assess the constructs of Joiner’s interpersonal psychological theory of suicide. Secondary goals of the study are to determine if values mediate the relationship between reasons for living and suicide risk, and whether participants’ suicidal wish can be categorized as either escaping their problems or influencing other people.; Keywords: Suicide Prevention; Return to Top
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, Psy.D., 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; Return to Top
Increasing Statewide Capacity to Provide Mental Health Care to Eligible Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Veterans with TBI and Co-Occurring Behavioral Health Issues: Research Team: Lisa A. Brenner PhD, Jennifer Olson-Madden PhD, Bridget B. Matarazzo PsyD, Gina M. Signoracci PhD; The purpose of this study is to explore and potentially increase the capacity of the non-VA community mental health system within the state of Colorado to provide a comprehensive and coordinated service delivery system for Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Veterans and their families. The specific population of interest is OEF/OIF Veterans with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and co-occurring behavioral health issues.; Keywords: OEF/OIF/OND, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI); Return to Top
SAFE VET - A Brief Intervention to Reduce Suicide Risk in Military Service Members and Veterans: Research Team: Lisa A. Brenner PhD, Bridget B. Matarazzo PsyD, Patricia Alexander PhD, Kimberly Arne MSW, Parri Hinton BA, Melodi Billera MSW LSW; The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of the SAFE VET (Suicide Assessment and Follow-up Engagement: Veteran Emergency Treatment) intervention versus enhanced usual care on Veterans’ suicide attempts, suicide ideation, outpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment, and suicide-related coping. SAFE VET uses a standardized intervention that is specifically adapted for use in the Emergency Department to mitigate suicide risk.; Keywords: Evidence-Based Treatment, Suicide Prevention; Return to Top
TBI-4 Study: Research Team: Lisa A. Brenner PhD, Beeta Homaifar PhD, Jennifer Olson-Madden PhD, Bridget Matarazzo Psy.D., Joe Huggins MSW MSCIS, Herbert Nagamoto MD, Jeri E. Forster PhD, Alexandra Schneider BA; Military personnel are returning from current conflicts with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Brief and sensitive screening measures are needed to assess TBI in this population.; Keywords: Evidence-Based Treatments, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Window to Hope – Evaluating a Psychological Treatment for Hopelessness among Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury: Research Team: Lisa A. Brenner PhD, Grahame Simpson PhD (Senior Research Fellow/ Research Team Leader, Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit, Australia), Bridget B. Matarazzo PsyD, Jeri E. Forster PhD, Gina M. Signoracci PhD, Adam Hoffberg MHS; This proposed project will be the first to replicate a groundbreaking psychological treatment for suicide prevention among those with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury, Window to Hope (WtoH), developed by PI Simpson and colleagues in Sydney, Australia. WtoH has been successfully evaluated in a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), in which treated Australian civilians (n=17) with severe TBI recorded significant decreases in hopelessness. The current project aims to (i) undertake the cross-cultural adaptation of the WtoH program; (ii) establish the acceptability and feasibility of WtoH within the VAMC context; and (iii) conduct a RCT within the VAMC to replicate the results from the original trial (efficacy). Deliverables are expected to include an intervention suitable for a larger trial and broader dissemination.; Keywords: Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Evidence-Based Treatments, Suicide Prevention, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

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Recent Presentations

The Self-Directed Violence Classification System (SDVCS) Training What it is and why it matters: 3/16/2012; Bridget Matarazzo, PsyD; Jack C. Montgomery VAMC in Muskogee, OK and Tulsa CBOC; Keywords: Assessment, Suicide Prevention; PDF
Suicide Risk Assessment in OEF/OIF/OND Veterans: 10 February 2012; Bridget Matarazzo, PsyD; VISN 6 MIRECC Educational Series; Keywords: Assessment, OEF/OIF/OND Veterans, Suicide Prevention; PDF
Suicide Risk Assessment and Safety Planning in Military Personnel: 12/5/11; Bridget Matarazzo, PsyD; Keywords: Assessment, OEF/OIF/OND Veterans, Suicide Prevention; PDF
PTSD and Suicide in Veterans and Military Personnel: 9/6/11; Bridget Matarazzo, PhD; Northern California Healthcare System; Keywords: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Suicide Prevention; PDF
The Self-Directed Violence Classification System (SDVCS) Training: What it is and why it matters: 9/6/11; Bridget Matarazzo, PhD; Northern California Healthcare System; Keywords: Suicide Prevention; PDF
Suicide Risk Assessment: Tips & Tools: 5/5/11; Bridget Matarazzo, PhD; Boulder Mental Health Center, Boulder, CO; Keywords: Assessment, Evidence-Based Treatments, Suicide Prevention; PowerPoint | PDF
Safety Planning: A Stand Alone Intervention: 5/5/11; Patricia Alexander PhD and Bridget Matarazzo, PhD; Boulder Mental Health Center, Boulder, CO; Keywords: Evidence-Based Treatments, Suicide Prevention; PowerPoint | PDF

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