Attention A T users. To access the menus on this page please perform the following steps. 1. Please switch auto forms mode to off. 2. Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). 3. To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow. You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links.

MIRECC / CoE

Menu
Menu
Quick Links
Veterans Crisis Line Badge
My healthevet badge
 

VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention

 

BACKGROUND

Appointments:

Investigator
VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention

VA Mental Health and Chaplaincy
Durham, NC

 

CONTACT

Email:
Marek.Kopacz
@va.gov

Phone:
(585) 393-7671

Marek Kopacz, MD, PhD

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Chaplaincy services in health care settings
  • Relationship between religion, spirituality, and suicidal behavior
  • Moral Injury

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research is motivated by a desire to produce actionable, data-driven recommendations which inform policy, planning, and the provision of high-quality supportive options for Veterans, both at VA Medical Centers as well as in the local community. This has included a focus on chaplaincy services, better conceptualizing what we understand as “religion” and “spirituality” and how these constructs can best be applied to suicide prevention efforts. Using qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, I have identified significant relationships linking select dimensions of religious/spiritual well-being with suicidal behavior. I also maintain a strong interest in moral injury, an emerging clinical construct relevant to Veteran suicide prevention efforts, having undertaken research informing supportive services for this disorder.

PRACTICE & INNOVATION

  • Research findings currently being applied in the training of VA chaplains and community clergy for recognizing suicide risk factors and gatekeeper training
  • Validation of a spiritual distress scale to assess for suicide risk
  • Media exposure (i.e., podcasts, interviews, webinars, and panel discussions) drawing attention to the relationship between faith and suicidal behavior
  • Involved in the creation of a suicide prevention program for DoD chaplains
  • In collaboration with the VA Center for Faith-Based Community Initiative, enhancing efforts aimed at partnering with faith-based communities
  • Increasing suicide risk awareness and sensitivity to the needs of Service members and Veteran populations among community-based service providers
  • Informing clinical practice by supporting interdisciplinary collaboration with chaplains, reinforcing spiritual needs as a focus of clinical concern, and developing understandings of general trust as a therapeutic outcome
return to top go