MIRECC / CoE
Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Veteran Suicide Prevention - Our Research
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The Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention carries out research in both the Rocky Mountain Regional VA and Salt Lake City VA. We also partner across the U.S. with other VA sites, the Department of Defense and in local communities. Our research has informed changes to policy and practice throughout VHA and the community. Keep reading to learn more and see specific examples of our research.
Our Research Focus Areas
Suicide is complicated and has multiple causes. We study suicide from multiple angles, looking at factors that might put a Veteran at risk for suicide, as well as factors that help protect Veterans from suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Our research covers a wide range of topics related to suicide prevention, including the neurobiology of suicide, clinical and behavioral interventions targeting suicidal behavior, tailoring treatments to diverse Veteran populations and implementation of evidence-based practices for suicide prevention. Our programs and research are also aligned with the National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide.
Neurobiology of Suicide
Our research into the neurobiology of suicide uses approaches such as brain imaging, animal models and data from public health records to examine how the brain’s structure and biochemistry may impact suicidal thoughts and behavior.
Hypoxia & Altitude
Several of our studies have explored how chronic hypoxia (lack of oxygen) resulting from living at high altitude may affect psychiatric disorders and treatments related to suicide. The graphics below give more information about studies conducted by researchers at our Salt Lake City site.
Click the images to enlarge and learn more.
Creatine Supplementation
Creatine supplementation has the potential to improve disruptions in brain energy that are implicated in the development and maintenance of depression. This visual abstract highlights one study in this area, conducted by Drs. Douglas Kondo and Perry Renshaw.
Click the image to enlarge and learn more.
Our research about the neurobiology of suicide is in the Basic and Preclinical Research phases. Visit the translational model page to learn more about these and other phases in the model.

Explore other research focus areas
Research Findings
Explore publications from Rocky Mountain MIRECC research listed in the following documents.
- Fiscal Year 2021 (October 2020-September 2021)
- Fiscal Year 2020 (October 2019-September 2020)
- Fiscal Year 2019 (October 2018-September 2019)
- Fiscal Year 2018 (October 2017-September 2018)
- Fiscal Year 2017 (October 2016-September 2017)
- Fiscal Year 2016 (October 2015-September 2016)
- Fiscal Year 2015 (October 2014-September 2015)
- Fiscal Year 2014 (October 2013-September 2014)
- Fiscal Year 2013 (October 2012-September 2013)
- Fiscal Year 2012 (October 2011-September 2012)
- Fiscal Year 2011 (October 2010-September 2011)
- Fiscal Year 2010 (October 2009-September 2010)
Quick Links to Study Websites
- Promoting mental health wellness and safety among Veteran firearm owners (FFAST)
- Assessing Social & Community Environments with National Data (ASCEND)
- Mental Healthcare Experiences of Women and Men Veterans Using and Not Using VA Healthcare
- Suicide Risk and Prevention among Asian American and Pacific Islander Veterans
- Perspectives on Preventing Firearm-Inflicted Suicide among Women Veterans
- Reproductive Health Care Settings for Upstream Suicide Prevention among Women Veterans
- Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education (MvM CoRE)
- Facilitating Assessment of At-Risk Sailors using Technology (FAAST)
Site Map
Last Updated 27 December 2021