Rocky Mountain MIRECC Advanced Fellowship Programs in Suicide Prevention

General Overview

Funded by the VA Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA), the fellowship programs offered by the Rocky Mountain MIRECC (Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center) are located at MIRECC centers in Colorado (Denver/Aurora) and Utah (Salt Lake City). Our fellowship offerings include an APA-accredited Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment in Suicide Prevention (Colorado only), an APPIC-recognized Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment in Suicide Prevention (Utah Only), and a non-clinical Advanced Research Fellowship in Suicide Prevention: Big Data Science Program (Colorado only). Each of our Rocky Mountain MIRECC fellowship programs offer a unique, dynamic opportunity for professional and personal growth.

Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment in Suicide Prevention (Colorado)

Denver/Aurora, Colorado (APA-Accredited)

The Denver/Aurora, Colorado site has been fully accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) Commission of Accreditation (CoA) since 2013.

Our Colorado site is currently not accepting applications for the APA-accredited Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment in Suicide Prevention. Available training faculty (in alphabetical order) include:

• Sean M. Barnes, PhD conducts research aimed at improving suicide risk management and developing contextual behavioral interventions for helping patients build vital and meaningful lives (e.g., Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for suicide prevention – ACT for Life).
• Lauren M. Borges, PhD conducts research on the use of contextual behavioral interventions to help Veterans and health care providers approach emotions like guilt and shame more flexibly.
• Ryan Holliday, PhD conducts research on social determinants of health as they relate to mental health and suicide risk in underserved populations (e.g., homeless, justice-involved and trauma-exposed).
• Lindsey Monteith, PhD conducts research on suicide risk and prevention in regard to gender, interpersonal violence, and trauma, lethal means safety (e.g., firearms), healthcare barriers and facilitators (e.g., stigma) and race/ethnicity (e.g., Asian American, Pacific Islander).

If you are interested in applying to work with Dr. Barnes ([email protected]), Dr. Borges ([email protected]), Dr. Holliday ([email protected]), or Dr. Monteith ([email protected]), please email them to discuss potential research opportunities.

General inquiries regarding the fellowship and application materials for the Colorado, 2022-2024, position(s) may be e-mailed to Dr. Edgar Villarreal at [email protected].

The Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment in Suicide Prevention (Colorado) is currently not accepting applications.

To learn more view our Colorado Fellowship Brochure. For additional information regarding program details and how to apply, visit our Colorado Fellowship page.

Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment in Suicide Prevention (Utah)

Salt Lake City, Utah (APPIC-Member)

The Salt Lake City, Utah site has been a member of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Center (APPIC) since 2012.

Our Utah site is currently not accepting applications for non-clinical postdoctoral advanced research fellows in suicide prevention.

The Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment in Suicide Prevention (Utah) is currently not accepting applications.

To learn more view our Utah Fellowship Brochure or visit our APPIC membership page. For additional information regarding program details and how to apply, visit our Utah Fellowship page.

Advanced Research Fellowship in Suicide Prevention: Big Data Science Program (Colorado)

Denver/Aurora, Colorado (Non-Accredited)

The mission of the Rocky Mountain MIRECC Advanced Research Fellowship in Suicide Prevention: Big Data Science Program is to train data scientists and researchers in the high priority area of mental health care for Veterans, with an emphasis on prevention of risky behaviors among Veterans/military service members. Rocky Mountain MIRECC recognizes the rapid increase of data generated in the clinical setting and its potential to enhance our understanding of risk and its impact on patient care outcomes. This program seeks to leverage the VA data system to support clinically relevant, 2-year-long training and research opportunities in collaboration with VA researchers. The goal of the program is to train a new cadre of scientist that possess the skills to manage and analyze large-scale, multiple element patient data sets and to develop new models that complement existing methodologies in patient-centered outcomes with a focus on Veteran suicide risk and prevention research.

The Advanced Research Fellowship in Suicide Prevention: Big Data Science Program is currently accepting applications. Candidates are encouraged to apply before May 31st but additional applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

To learn more about the Advanced Research Fellowship in Suicide Prevention: Big Data Science Program please visit:

Advanced Research Fellowship in Suicide Prevention: Big Data Science Program webpage

Last Updated 28 April 2022

return to top