Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC)
Advanced Fellowship in Suicide Prevention Research
Advanced Fellowship in Suicide Prevention Research
Program Description
CIVIC is now offering a specialized fellowship experience focused on suicide prevention research and innovative projects in suicide prevention. CIVIC houses multiple suicide prevention-related research projects and is a core site for VA’s Suicide Prevention Research Impact Network (SPRINT). CIVIC suicide prevention investigators are invested in collaboration and mentorship of advanced fellows passionate about suicide prevention. Applicants interested in a fellowship experience focused on suicide prevention are encouraged to review information about the investigators and their active areas of research and directly reach out to them to discuss specific opportunities in more detail.
For more information on the general structure of the Fellowship program, please visit our Fellowship Program Overview page.
Suicide Prevention Mentors
CIVIC currently has 5 suicide prevention researchers available to serve as fellowship mentors. Click on the researcher's picture below to see their active suicide prevention research projects.
Kathleen Carlson, PhD | Actively Seeking a Fellow
Areas of Interest and Current Suicide Prevention Projects- Using Large-scale Social Determinants Data to Identify Veterans at Heightened Risk of Suicide: A Data Linkage Project
- Firearm Injury Prevention among Rural Veterans in the U.S.
Jason Chen, PhD (he/him)
Areas of Interest and Current Suicide Prevention Projects- Extending the Safety Net: Reaching Veterans at High Risk for Suicide Who Disengage from Care
- The Role of Stereotype Activation in Iatrogenic Effects of Suicide Messaging
- Serving All Who Have Served: Enhancing Suicide-Related Care Quality for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Veterans (approved for funding)
- Enhancing Social Connectedness Among Veterans at High Risk for Suicide through Community Engagement
Lauren Denneson, PhD
Areas of Interest and Current Suicide Prevention Projects- Understanding documented clinical decision making and outcomes of high risk for suicide flag inactivation among Veterans with recent suicide attempts
- Suicide Prevention Trials Database (PIs: Denneson/O'Neil)
- Advancing Suicide Prevention for Female Veterans
- Characterizing Suicide Risk Trajectories among Reintegrating Women Veterans Over Time
Steve Dobscha, MD | Actively Seeking a Fellow
Areas of Interest and Current Suicide Prevention Projects- Impact of suicide risk screening and assessment on care and on suicide behavior outcomes
- Promoting firearms safety among Veterans
Alan Teo, MD, MS (he/him) | Actively Seeking a Fellow
Areas of Interest and Current Suicide Prevention Projects- Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for suicide
- Clinical trials and pragmatic trials for suicide prevention
- Gatekeeper training and other suicide prevention education
- Use of social media and digital platforms for outreach, awareness, and intervention
Dr. Teo’s active projects in suicide prevention include a pragmatic trial of Caring Contacts for older Veterans, a randomized trial of a video-based version of VA S.A.V.E. gatekeeper training for close supports of Veterans, and evaluation of VA’s firearms safety media campaign.
To Apply
Interested candidates should submit two letters of recommendation, a CV, and letter of interest by January 13th, 2025. The letter should describe the candidate's interests and any previous experience in health services research, their goals for the fellowship, and their desired training track. Additional positions may be available at a later date on a case-by-case basis.
We are currently accepting applications for 2024 and all submissions are reviewed when they are received. Documents may be emailed to Alan.Teo@va.gov:
Alan Teo, M.D., M.S.
Director of Education and Core Investigator
Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC)
VA Portland Health Care System (R&D 66)
3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road
Portland, OR 97239
