Biography
Regarding translation to policy, I have served as a content expert for nationally-directed health initiatives with NIH, VA, DOD, DARPA, SAMHSA, CDC, and The White House. I recently led development of the CA 2020-25 Statewide Strategy for Suicide Prevention, following invited testimony (CA State Assembly) and a commissioned Policy Brief on suicide prevention best practices. Advisory and advocacy work centers on how research guides public health policy and implementation. I am especially committed to initiatives promising impact to suicide prevention on a broad scale, including universal strategies for lethal means restriction and real-time surveillance of suicidal behaviors. To this end, I have been honored to serve as a content expert to The White House Office of Science and Technology for initiatives focused on technology innovation and led advisory work promoting suicide deterrent systems for private organizations and public sites, such as the Golden Gate Bridge. I have consulted for technology companies, as well as private industry and healthcare partners.
Inspired by maternity leaves coinciding with the above work, I have a separate research line examining organizational development, inclusive practices, sleep and employee wellness. This addresses disparate impact of institutional and federal medical leave practices on recruitment and retention of women. Our program focuses on cost-effective policy for diversity training and reduced attrition of women in medicine, law, STEM and technology fields. As such, I am dedicated to spearheading development of a Stanford Center for Policy, Inclusive Practices, and Equity Education.
To donate or partner with us, please contact Deborah Stinchfield (Stanford Medical Center Development) medicalgiving@stanford.edu or please contact us directly.
Professional Summary
Education & Certifications
- PhD Training: Florida State University (2009) FL
- Undergraduate Education, University of Oregon, English and Psychology
- Graduate Education, Florida State University, Clinical Psychology
- Predoctoral Fellowship, NIH/NHGRI, Intramural Research Training Award in Biomedical Sciences
- Predoctoral Fellowship, NIH/NIMH, Florida State University, National Research Service Award (F31)
- Residency, VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS), Clinical Psychology
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, NIH/NIMH, Stanford University, National Research Service Award (T32)
- Faculty Fellowship, Stanford Clayman Institute for Gender Research, Diversity and Inclusive Practices Policy (2019)
- Fellow in Thanatology (FT), Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC), Thanatology: Death, Dying, and Bereavement (2023)
Memberships
- Board Member, Bridge Rail Foundation (BRF) (2013 - Present)
- Co-Chair, Lethal Means Restriction Advisory Workgroup, The City of Palo Alto and Project Safety Net (2016 - Present)
- Lead Technical Consultant, CA 2020 State Strategy, California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (CA MHSOAC) (2018 - 2020)
Administrative Appointments
- Co-Chair, The Center for Premature Mortality and Suicide Prevention, Stanford University School of Medicine (2015 - Present)
- Director, Stanford Suicide Prevention Research Laboratory, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (2012 - Present)
- Instructor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine (2011 - 2015)
- Investigator, Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers (MIRECC), VA Palo Alto Health Care System (2013 - Present)
Publications
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CBT for Insomnia in Patients with High and Low Depressive Symptom Severity: Adherence and Clinical Outcomes
Manber, R., Bernert, R. A., Suh, S., Nowakowski, S., Siebern, A. T., & Ong, J. C. (2011). CBT for Insomnia in Patients with High and Low Depressive Symptom Severity: Adherence and Clinical Outcomes. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL SLEEP MEDICINE, 7(6), 645–52. -
Clinical significance of night-to-night sleep variability in insomnia
Suh, S., Nowakowski, S., Bernert, R. A., Ong, J. C., Siebern, A. T., Dowdle, C. L., & Manber, R. (2012). Clinical significance of night-to-night sleep variability in insomnia. SLEEP MEDICINE, 13(5), 469–75. -
Eating disorder and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in a sample of bulimic women: Perfectionism as a mediating factor
Bernert, R. A., Timpano, K. R., Peterson, C. B., Crow, S. J., Bardone-Cone, A. M., Le Grange, D., … Joiner, T. E. (2013). Eating disorder and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in a sample of bulimic women: Perfectionism as a mediating factor. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES, 54(2), 231–35. -
Sleep problems outperform depression and hopelessness as cross-sectional and longitudinal predictors of suicidal ideation and behavior in young adults in the military
Ribeiro, J. D., Pease, J. L., Gutierrez, P. M., Silva, C., Bernert, R. A., Rudd, M. D., & Joiner, T. E. (2012). Sleep problems outperform depression and hopelessness as cross-sectional and longitudinal predictors of suicidal ideation and behavior in young adults in the military. JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS, 136(3), 743–50. -
Obsessive compulsive symptoms and sleep difficulties: Exploring the unique relationship between insomnia and obsessions.
Timpano, K. R., Carbonella, J. Y., Bernert, R. A., & Schmidt, N. B. (2014). Obsessive compulsive symptoms and sleep difficulties: Exploring the unique relationship between insomnia and obsessions. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 57, 101–107. -
A Review of Multidisciplinary Clinical Practice Guidelines in Suicide Prevention: Toward an Emerging Standard in Suicide Risk Assessment and Management, Training and Practice
Bernert, R. A., Hom, M. A., & Roberts, L. W. (2014). A Review of Multidisciplinary Clinical Practice Guidelines in Suicide Prevention: Toward an Emerging Standard in Suicide Risk Assessment and Management, Training and Practice. ACADEMIC PSYCHIATRY, 38(5), 585–92. -
Association of poor subjective sleep quality with risk for death by suicide during a 10-year period: a longitudinal, population-based study of late life.
Bernert, R. A., Turvey, C. L., Conwell, Y., & Joiner, T. E. (2014). Association of poor subjective sleep quality with risk for death by suicide during a 10-year period: a longitudinal, population-based study of late life. JAMA Psychiatry, 71(10), 1129–37. -
Association of Poor Subjective Sleep Quality With Risk for Death by Suicide During a 10-Year Period A Longitudinal, Population-Based Study of Late Life
Bernert, R. A., Turvey, C. L., Conwell, Y., & Joiner, T. E. (2014). Association of Poor Subjective Sleep Quality With Risk for Death by Suicide During a 10-Year Period A Longitudinal, Population-Based Study of Late Life. JAMA PSYCHIATRY, 71(10), 1129–37. -
The prediction of study-emergent suicidal ideation in bipolar disorder: a pilot study using ecological momentary assessment data
Thompson, W. K., Gershon, A., O'Hara, R., Bernert, R. A., & Depp, C. A. (2014). The prediction of study-emergent suicidal ideation in bipolar disorder: a pilot study using ecological momentary assessment data. BIPOLAR DISORDERS, 16(7), 669–77. -
Sleep disturbances as an evidence-based suicide risk factor.
Bernert, R. A., Kim, J. S., Iwata, N. G., & Perlis, M. L. (2015). Sleep disturbances as an evidence-based suicide risk factor. Current Psychiatry Reports, 17(3), 554-? -
Sleep Disturbances and Suicide Risk.
Bernert, R. A., & Nadorff, M. R. (2015). Sleep Disturbances and Suicide Risk. Sleep Medicine Clinics, 10(1), 35–39. -
A review of multidisciplinary clinical practice guidelines in suicide prevention: toward an emerging standard in suicide risk assessment and management, training and practice.
Bernert, R. A., Hom, M. A., & Roberts, L. W. (2014). A review of multidisciplinary clinical practice guidelines in suicide prevention: toward an emerging standard in suicide risk assessment and management, training and practice. Academic Psychiatry , 38(5), 585–92. -
The Association between Sleep Disturbances and Depression among Firefighters: Emotion Dysregulation as an Explanatory Factor.
Hom, M. A., Stanley, I. H., Rogers, M. L., Tzoneva, M., Bernert, R. A., & Joiner, T. E. (2015). The Association between Sleep Disturbances and Depression among Firefighters: Emotion Dysregulation as an Explanatory Factor. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine , 12(2), 235–45. -
Limitations of a single-item assessment of suicide attempt history: Implications for standardized suicide risk assessment.
Hom, M. A., Joiner, T. E., & Bernert, R. A. (2016). Limitations of a single-item assessment of suicide attempt history: Implications for standardized suicide risk assessment. Psychological Assessment, 28(8), 1026–30. -
Nocturnal Wakefulness Is Associated With Next-Day Suicidal Ideation in Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder
Ballard, E. D., Voort, J. L. V., Bernert, R. A., Luckenbaugh, D. A., Richards, E. M., Niciu, M. J., … Zarate, C. A. (2016). Nocturnal Wakefulness Is Associated With Next-Day Suicidal Ideation in Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHIATRY, 77(6), 825–31. -
Suicide and sleep: Is it a bad thing to be awake when reason sleeps?
Perlis, M. L., Grandner, M. A., Chakravorty, S., Bernert, R. A., Brown, G. K., & Thase, M. E. (2016). Suicide and sleep: Is it a bad thing to be awake when reason sleeps? Sleep Medicine Reviews, 29, 101–7. -
The Association between Sleep Disturbances and Depression among Firefighters: Emotion Dysregulation as an Explanatory Factor
Hom, M. A., Stanley, I. H., Rogers, M. L., Tzoneva, M., Bernert, R. A., & Joiner, T. E. (2016). The Association between Sleep Disturbances and Depression among Firefighters: Emotion Dysregulation as an Explanatory Factor. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL SLEEP MEDICINE, 12(2), 235–45. -
Sleep architecture parameters as a putative biomarker of suicidal ideation in treatment-resistant depression.
Bernert, R. A., Luckenbaugh, D. A., Duncan, W. C., Iwata, N. G., Ballard, E. D., & Zarate, C. A. (2016). Sleep architecture parameters as a putative biomarker of suicidal ideation in treatment-resistant depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 208, 309–15. -
Sleep architecture parameters as a putative biomarker of suicidal ideation in treatment-resistant depression
Bernert, R. A., Luckenbaugh, D. A., Duncan, W. C., Iwata, N. G., Ballard, E. D., & Zarate, C. A. (2017). Sleep architecture parameters as a putative biomarker of suicidal ideation in treatment-resistant depression. JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS, 208, 309–15. -
Cross-cultural relevance of the Interpersonal Theory of suicide across Korean and U.S. undergraduate students.
Suh, S., Ebesutani, C. K., Hagan, C. R., Rogers, M. L., Hom, M. A., Ringer, F. B., … Joiner, T. E. (2017). Cross-cultural relevance of the Interpersonal Theory of suicide across Korean and U.S. undergraduate students. Psychiatry Research, 251, 244–52. -
Antisuicidal Response Following Ketamine Infusion Is Associated With Decreased Nighttime Wakefulness in Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder.
Vande Voort, J. L., Ballard, E. D., Luckenbaugh, D. A., Bernert, R. A., Richards, E. M., Niciu, M. J., … Zarate, C. A. (2016). Antisuicidal Response Following Ketamine Infusion Is Associated With Decreased Nighttime Wakefulness in Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. -
Objectively Assessed Sleep Variability as an Acute Warning Sign of Suicidal Ideation in a Longitudinal Evaluation of Young Adults at High Suicide Risk.
Bernert, R. A., Hom, M. A., Iwata, N. G., & Joiner, T. E. (2017). Objectively Assessed Sleep Variability as an Acute Warning Sign of Suicidal Ideation in a Longitudinal Evaluation of Young Adults at High Suicide Risk. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 78(6), e678–e687. -
Sleep Architecture Abnormalities as a Risk Factor for Elevated Suicidal Ideation: A Polysomnographic Investigation of Sleep in Treatment Resistant Unipolar and Bipolar Depression
Bernert, R., Luckenbaugh, D., Duncan, W. C., & Zarate, C. A. (2013). Sleep Architecture Abnormalities as a Risk Factor for Elevated Suicidal Ideation: A Polysomnographic Investigation of Sleep in Treatment Resistant Unipolar and Bipolar Depression. NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY, 38, S388–S389. -
Suicide Risk and Mood Regulation Deficits: Emotional Reactivity as an Exploratory Pathway
Bernert, R., Hom, M., Goodkind, M., Peng, K., Oathes, D., Primeau, M., & Etkin, A. (2013). Suicide Risk and Mood Regulation Deficits: Emotional Reactivity as an Exploratory Pathway. NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY, 38, S210. -
Suicide Risk Assessment and Management Training Practices in Pediatric Residency Programs: A Nationwide Needs Assessment Survey.
Schoen, L. E., Bogetz, A. L., Hom, M. A., & Bernert, R. A. (2019). Suicide Risk Assessment and Management Training Practices in Pediatric Residency Programs: A Nationwide Needs Assessment Survey. The Journal of Adolescent Health : Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine. -
NIGHTMARES PREDICT CROSS-SECTIONAL RISK FOR SUICIDAL IDEATION, BUT NOT PERCEIVED STIGMA IN A HIGH-RISK SAMPLE OF US MILITARY VETERANS
Hilberg, A. M., Murphy, L., Pham, S., & Bernert, R. A. (2019). NIGHTMARES PREDICT CROSS-SECTIONAL RISK FOR SUICIDAL IDEATION, BUT NOT PERCEIVED STIGMA IN A HIGH-RISK SAMPLE OF US MILITARY VETERANS. SLEEP, 42. -
The Validity of Google Trends Search Volumes for Behavioral Forecasting of National Suicide Rates in Ireland.
Barros, J. M., Melia, R., Francis, K., Bogue, J., O'Sullivan, M., Young, K., … Duggan, J. (2019). The Validity of Google Trends Search Volumes for Behavioral Forecasting of National Suicide Rates in Ireland. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(17). -
Artificial Intelligence and Suicide Prevention: A Systematic Review of Machine Learning Investigations.
Bernert, R. A., Hilberg, A. M., Melia, R., Kim, J. P., Shah, N. H., & Abnousi, F. (2020). Artificial Intelligence and Suicide Prevention: A Systematic Review of Machine Learning Investigations. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(16). -
Delta Event-Related Oscillations Are Related to a History of Extreme Binge Drinking in Adolescence and Lifetime Suicide Risk.
Ehlers, C. L., Wills, D. N., Karriker-Jaffe, K. J., Gilder, D. A., Phillips, E., & Bernert, R. A. (2020). Delta Event-Related Oscillations Are Related to a History of Extreme Binge Drinking in Adolescence and Lifetime Suicide Risk. Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 10(10). -
Examining subjective sleep quality in adults with hoarding disorder.
Mahnke, A. R., Linkovski, O., Timpano, K., van Roessel, P., Sanchez, C., Varias, A. D., … Rodriguez, C. I. (2020). Examining subjective sleep quality in adults with hoarding disorder. Journal of Psychiatric Research. -
Trauma, historical trauma, PTSD and suicide in an American Indian community sample.
Ehlers, C. L., Yehuda, R., Gilder, D. A., Bernert, R., & Karriker-Jaffe, K. J. (2022). Trauma, historical trauma, PTSD and suicide in an American Indian community sample. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 156, 214–220. -
Using a Safety Planning Mobile App to Address Suicidality in Young People Attending Community Mental Health Services in Ireland: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
Melia, R., Francis, K., Duggan, J., Bogue, J., O'Sullivan, M., Young, K., … Bernert, R. (2023). Using a Safety Planning Mobile App to Address Suicidality in Young People Attending Community Mental Health Services in Ireland: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Research Protocols, 12, e44205. -
Poor self-reported sleep quality associated with suicide risk in a community sample of American Indian adults.
Ehlers, C. L., Karriker-Jaffe, K. J., & Bernert, R. (2023). Poor self-reported sleep quality associated with suicide risk in a community sample of American Indian adults. Sleep Advances : a Journal of the Sleep Research Society, 4(1), zpad024. -
Comorbidity of anxiety/affective, conduct/antisocial, attention deficit, and alcohol use disorders with suicidal behaviors in an American Indian community sample of adults and adolescents.
Ehlers, C. L., Gilder, D. A., Karriker-Jaffe, K. J., & Bernert, R. (2023). Comorbidity of anxiety/affective, conduct/antisocial, attention deficit, and alcohol use disorders with suicidal behaviors in an American Indian community sample of adults and adolescents. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 167, 63–70. -
Genetic Factors Associated with Suicidal Behaviors and Alcohol Use Disorders in an American Indian Population.
Gilder, D., Bernert, R., Karriker-Jaffe, K., Ehlers, C., & Peng, Q. (2023). Genetic Factors Associated with Suicidal Behaviors and Alcohol Use Disorders in an American Indian Population. Research Square. -
Genetic factors associated with suicidal behaviors and alcohol use disorders in an American Indian population.
Peng, Q., Gilder, D. A., Bernert, R. A., Karriker-Jaffe, K. J., & Ehlers, C. L. (2024). Genetic factors associated with suicidal behaviors and alcohol use disorders in an American Indian population. Molecular Psychiatry. -
Social zeitgeber and sleep loss as risk factors for suicide in American Indian adolescents.
Ehlers, C. L., Gilder, D. A., Benedict, J., Wills, D. N., Phillips, E., Gonzales, C., … Bernert, R. A. (2024). Social zeitgeber and sleep loss as risk factors for suicide in American Indian adolescents. Transcultural Psychiatry, 13634615241227679.
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