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The U.S. Air Force asked the RAND Corporation to assist its development and validation of gender-neutral tests and standards for battlefield airmen (BA) specialties. The Air Force has conducted an extensive validation study of occupational relevance of physical fitness tests and standards. Following the fitness test validation study, one enlisted specialty (Tactical Air Control Party [TACP]) and one officer BA specialty (Air Liaison Officer [ALO]) moved forward with an implementation plan to further evaluate a set of recommended tests and continuation standards. This study describes RAND's assistance to the Air Force on two fronts: (1) conducting a preliminary evaluation of potential issues and concerns that might influence implementation effectiveness and (2) developing a framework for evaluating the implementation of occupationally relevant and specific tests and standards. This work provides the foundation for ongoing review and evaluation of Air Force fitness tests and standards, which are designed to ensure that airmen are capable of performing critical physical tasks associated with their assigned specialties.

The California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) statewide Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) program comprises three strategic initiatives: (1) reduction of stigma and discrimination toward those with mental illness, (2) prevention of suicide, and (3) improvement in student mental health. Community agencies serve as PEI program partners to perform activities intended to meet the goals of the initiatives. This article evaluates the progress of the PEI program partners in achieving their goals and establishes baseline population tracking of key risk factors and long–term outcomes targeted by the initiatives. Based on a model to assess the program partners' capacities and resources and a recent survey of California adults, this article shows that the partners have greatly expanded their abilities to launch numerous PEI activities and programs.

This study examines mental illness stigma and related beliefs among young adults in California, especially whether levels of stigma are higher or lower than those observed in older adults.

Describes the methods and results of a RAND evaluation of stigma and discrimination reduction trainings delivered by two program partners, Disability Rights California and Mental Health America of California.

The authors review data on the prevalence of youth mental health disorders and schools' use of student mental health (SMH) programs. They also describe the role of schools in addressing SMH concerns and outline a conceptual model for guiding evaluation of SMH programs. Finally, they touch on issues related to evaluation of cross-system collaborations that can influence students' access to resources and services and then review some of the challenges associated with evaluating SMH programs. They determine that SMH programs can be effective and can improve staff, faculty, and student knowledge of mental health problems; provide skills for identifying and referring students with mental health and social and emotional difficulties; and change attitudes toward mental health problems.

Presents results of a one-year follow-up to the 2014 California Statewide Survey, which was developed to track attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors related to mental illness. This article focuses on items measuring stigma.

In 2004, California voters passed Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), which includes a mandate that the state provide prevention and early intervention (PEI) services and education for people who experience mental illness in the state of California. The California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), a coalition of California counties formed to provide economic and administrative support to mental health service delivery, formed the Statewide PEI Implementation Program based on extensive recommendations from a large number of stakeholders statewide. The Statewide PEI program is made up of three strategic initiatives: (1) reduction of stigma and discrimination towards those with mental illness, (2) prevention of suicide, and (3) improvement in student mental health. This article provides a summary and commentary on a more detailed interim RAND evaluation of the CalMHSA Statewide PEI Program.

This article reviews the current state of evidence for Mental Health First Aid's effectiveness in key target populations, to help the California Mental Health Services Authority's planning for future prevention and early intervention activities.

This article describes the results of RAND's evaluation of the San Francisco–based Center for Dignity, Recovery, and Empowerment's technical assistance program for stigma-reduction programs through interviews with community-partner participants.

This article examines the effects of a school-based theatrical performance, Walk In Our Shoes, designed to educate youth about and reduce stigma and discrimination toward mental illness.

Presents results of the 2014 California Well-Being Survey, which tracks mental illness stigma and discrimination, well-being, and exposure to prevention and early intervention activities among Californians experiencing psychological distress.

A number of programs aim to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness, and they can include a variety of components such as training, education, media campaigns, and contact with people with mental illness. Stigma and discrimination reduction activities are evaluated in this article, using evidence from an extensive literature review. Specific areas reviewed include relevant theories of stigma and prejudice reduction, what is and is not known about the effectiveness of various approaches to reducing the stigma of mental illness, the kinds of methodologies previously used in evaluating these approaches, and the methodologies that should be employed in the future. The authors also introduce a conceptual model of mental health stigma reduction based on a variety of existing theories and evidence.

Describes the methods and results of a RAND evaluation of stigma and discrimination reduction efforts by Runyon Saltzman Einhorn, Inc., involving screenings of a documentary film called “A New State of Mind: Ending the Stigma of Mental Illness.”

Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) provides support and raises public awareness for service members and veterans who incurred physical or mental injury, illness, or wound coincident to their military service on or after September 11, 2001, as well as their families and caregivers. Through WWP, members (Alumni) have access to programs that support four main areas of recovery-engagement, mind, body, and economic empowerment. Using 2014 WWP Annual Alumni Survey data, RAND researchers offer a detailed analysis of how Alumni of different genders, races and ethnicities, military service histories, and service-related health conditions fare in terms of mental health, physical health, and economic well-being. The study also offers recommendations for the organization's decisionmakers to consider in setting goals and creating programs to support WWP Alumni.