News & Headlines

In their day-to-day work, first responders – including police, firefighters, paramedics and lifesavers – often witness terrible things happening to other people, and may be in danger themselves.

For some people, this can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which usually involves intrusive memories and flashbacks, negative thoughts and emotions, feeling constantly on guard, and avoiding things that remind them of the trauma.

But our research – which tested a mobile app focused on building resilience with firefighters – shows PTSD isn’t inevitable. We found depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms were less likely when firefighters used a mental health program that was self-led, specifically addressed trauma and focused on teaching practical skills.

Each year, about two million children, many while playing organized sports, suffer concussions. But, according to concussions researcher Jaclyn Stephens, an occupational therapist and associate professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at Colorado State University, parents and coaches don’t always know how to recognize and respond to them.

Stephens teamed up with other experts around the world to issue an easy guide on concussions.

For me, the biggest takeaway was simple. For the first time in a long time, I felt hopeful. That alone made it easier to keep going.

When a senior coroner declared on Monday that repeatedly heading footballs is "likely" to have contributed to the brain disease which was a factor in the death of former Leeds United and Manchester United defender Gordon McQueen, the relationship between heading and neurodegenerative illnesses was thrust into the spotlight again.

Veterans keep fighting long after the uniform comes off. Some battles unfold in families, careers and friendships. Others stay locked inside the mind.

Sheepdog, a new independent film, brings those unseen struggles into the open and refuses to leave them there.

An Australian-first study has found evidence of memory changes among women who experienced more than six brain injuries as a result of concussions and strangulation from intimate partner violence. 

The Monash University researchers say women who experience violence are less likely to be diagnosed and treated for brain injury compared to atheletes. 

An Army veteran with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder spent three years trying different treatments offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Medications helped some. Traditional talk therapy felt like digging through the same ground over and over. Then a provider mentioned EMDR. Twelve weeks later, the nightmares stopped. The hypervigilance eased. For the first time since deployment, he could drive without constantly scanning for IEDs.

Neuropsychology research is exploring alternative pathways to brain healing.

A Georgia man’s life was changed forever when he sustained a catastrophic brain injury. Now his family is battling the court system over what happens to his mind and body.

The dogs train for the specific needs of the person they’re working with, but are all taught to disrupt panic attacks and help veterans feel safer in stressful situations.