Spilsbury, J.C., Belliston, L., Drotar, D., Drinkard, A., Dretschmar, J., Creeden, R., Flannery, D.J., and Friedman, S. (2007). Clinically significant trauma symptoms and behavioral problems in a community-based sample of children exposed to domestic violence. Journal of Family Violence, 22(6), pp. 487-499. (Published online: 29 June 2007. Published in print: August 2007)

This pioneering study was the first empirical demonstration that mobile, community-based crisis intervention services led to a reduction in psychiatric hospitalization, both at private and public hospitals.

The Mobile Crisis Team of MHS was the source of data about community-based services. The reduction in hospitalization was substantial, and did not result in increased rates of subsequent hospitalization. The rigourous study design and large data set addressed shortcomings of prior studies.

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Spilsbury, J.C., Kahana, S., Drotar, D., Creeden, R., Flannery, D.J., and Friedman, S. (2008). Profiles of behavior problems in children who witness domestic violence. Violence and Victims, 23(1), pp. 3-17.

This pioneering study was the first empirical demonstration that mobile, community-based crisis intervention services led to a reduction in psychiatric hospitalization, both at private and public hospitals.

The Mobile Crisis Team of MHS was the source of data about community-based services. The reduction in hospitalization was substantial, and did not result in increased rates of subsequent hospitalization. The rigourous study design and large data set addressed shortcomings of prior studies.

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Oliver, R.J., Spilsbury, J.C., Osiecki, S.S., Denihan, W.M., Zureick, J.L., and Friedman, S. (2008). Brief report: Preliminary results of a suicide awareness mass media campaign in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, ___(___), pp. ______.

The number of calls to Cuyahoga County's suicide hotline increased following a media campaign of placards and posters on public transportation buses, billboards, posters in shopping malls, and public-service radio announcements.

Calls by and about people with suicidal concerns to the MHS Mobile Crisis Team increased 29% during the first media campaign, decreased 27% after the end of the campaign, and increased 15% during the second media campaign. There were no differences in the sex or age of callers after the campaigns began and ended. Because there was no control or comparison group, factors other than the media campaign could have led to the increased number of calls. However, the change in call volume each time the campaign began and ended is consistent with the hypothesis that the campaign was the most important factor influencing call volume.

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