Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress

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Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress

Advancing Psychological Health and Resilience through Trauma Research, Education, and Consultation. Government

The appearance of advertising on this page does not imply endorsement by CSTS, USU or the U.S. The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS) was established in 1987 to address United States Department of Defense concerns around the psychological impact and health consequences resulting from the impact of traumatic events, to include weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and natural disasters.

09/08/2026

Mental health problems are a leading cause of hospitalization and discharge among active-duty service members.

An upcoming vitamin B9 clinical trial will focus on reducing su***de risk and supporting service member health. Researchers invite active-duty US personnel to test a new online recruitment platform. We are looking for active-duty service members who are not leaving the service in the next year. You do not need to have a mental health diagnosis to participate.

Participation can be completed in 10 minutes and is completely online. Click the link below to learn more:

09/07/2026

How does identification with disaster victims impact rescue workers?

A new publication from CSTS Scientists examined the relationship between identification, the cognitive process where individuals think of themselves as similar to another person, and distress among disaster workers not directly exposed to an airplane crash.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/4pxhQuQ

09/02/2026

🧠 Join us at our upcoming Brain, Behavior, & Mind 2026 Fall Lecture on September 23! 🧠

is free, virtual, and open to the public. Continuing education credits are available.

Register now: https://brainbehaviormind.org/lecture-series/2026-fall-lecture/introduction

08/30/2026

Our own personal experiences, uncertainty, and fear can leave us feeling unprepared or hesitant to respond or interact with those who have experienced a loss.

Our fact sheet has some suggestions for how to respond when someone you know has been impacted by loss, including:
✅ Be there
✅ Bring soup
✅ Stay present

This , learn more about how to help people after experiencing loss with our fact sheet:https://www.cstsonline.org/assets/media/documents/CSTS_FS_Helping_People_After_Loss.pdf

📸 Elizabeth Fraser for DVIDS

08/24/2026

Active-duty US personnel are invited to help test a new online recruitment platform for a future vitamin B9 study focused on reducing su***de risk and supporting service member health.

Participation takes about 10 minutes, is completely online, and can be completed anywhere by smartphone or computer.

Learn more or participate here:

08/21/2026

Learning more about factors associated with increased risk of child maltreatment is critical to effective prevention.

A new publication by CSTS colleagues describes predictors associated with first occurrences of child maltreatment in military families between 2009 and 2018.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/4ysART8

08/18/2026

Last month, we said goodbye to our wonderful undergraduate summer interns at CSTS.

Before they left, we took the opportunity to talk to them about their experiences at CSTS and hear about their most impactful learning experiences.

We wish Cameron, Osen, Rhea, and Ritika all the best in their future professional endeavors!

08/15/2026

Recently published research from CSTS compares the efficacy of Reconciliation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy for the treatment of PTSD.

While PE and RTM demonstrated similar outcomes in treatment response, loss of diagnosis, withdrawal rates, and 12-month sustainment of treatment gain, RTM showed:

✅ More early treatment responders
✅ More participants who addressed two or more traumatic events during treatment

These findings highlight the potential of RTM as an emerging treatment of PTSD.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/4gOVXVv

08/12/2026

At CSTS, we believe that advancing Warfighter brain health includes engaging in learning, sharing ideas, and building relationships.

Last week, we had the honor of joining over 3,000 fellow researchers, clinicians, and DoW leaders at to grow our education in and share our work with other experts and leaders.

Learn about some of our MHSRS highlights in the video below! ⬇️

08/10/2026

Are you an active-duty service member looking for ways to help your fellow Warfighters?

Researchers invite active-duty US service members to test a platform designed to facilitate recruitment for an upcoming vitamin B9 study focused on reducing su***de risk and supporting service member health.

Think of the vitamin B9 study as universal prevention, like a seatbelt, that could help other service members and advance future prevention efforts.

Participation takes about 10 minutes, is completely online, and can be completed anywhere by smartphone or computer.

Click the link to learn more or participate:

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Bethesda, MD

Website

http://www.cstsonline.org/

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