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Focus Areas

Military Behavioral Health

Improving the mental and behavioral health of Service members through data-driven solutions

Behavioral health, including substance use, mental health, and health behaviors, is critical to our nation’s military readiness. For more than 40 years, RTI has been doing work that benefits Service members. Our leading-statistical techniques allow us to characterize behavioral health issues within active-duty United States Military. 

Beginning in 1980 and through 2008, RTI conducted the DoD Survey of Health-Related Behaviors among Military Personnel, which used sophisticated sampling to interpret behavioral health information collected; study guided policy and funding decisions. 

RTI has conducted several other military behavioral health studies including:

  • The first multi-site randomized controlled trial of stellate ganglion block for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms.
  • Interventions for heavy drinking in Service members.
  • Interventions for opioid misuse and management.
  • A randomized effectiveness trial of a systems-level approach to stepped care for war-related PTSD.
  • Mental fitness in Army basic combat training recruits.
  • Stigma associated with treatment-seeking for substance abuse and mental health in Service members.
  • A randomized trial of a therapist-assisted internet-based intervention for combat-related PTSD.
  • Identification of patterns of alcohol and tobacco use and dependence among military personnel.
  • Unit level influences regarding alcohol, tobacco use, and other health behaviors.
  • Trends in mental health services utilization and stigma.
  • Negative consequences of alcohol use.

Our research in behavioral health allows our Military partners to identify and analyze issues their Service members face. Our studies span across multiple focus areas within behavioral health which allow us and our partners to understand many of the common health difficulties of Service members.