What is SEDL?
The Suicide and Emotion Dysregulation lab (SEDL) is a research laboratory directed by Mike Anestis, Ph.D. Dr. Anestis has begun a new position as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center (GVRC) and as an Associate Professor of Urban-Global Public Health at Rutgers; however, SEDL doctoral students are continuing their education at the University of Southern Mississippi under the guidance of Dr. Anestis. Our research focuses on identifying risk and protective factors associated with suicide and better understanding what facilitates the transition from suicidal thoughts to suicidal behavior. A common theme in our projects is a steadfast effort to empirically test widely held beliefs about suicide so as to help us better understand and prevent this tragic outcome. Our work involves both civilians and military personnel and focuses largely on adult populations.
Guns and Suicide: An American Epidemic

Dr. Anestis has a book that was published by Oxford University Press in February 2018.
In Guns and suicide: An American epidemic, Dr. Anestis aims to bridge the gap between gun owners and non-gun owners in discussing the role of guns in suicide and how means safety could be leveraged to lower the national suicide rate.
The book is currently available on Amazon and through other retailers.
In Guns and suicide: An American epidemic, Dr. Anestis aims to bridge the gap between gun owners and non-gun owners in discussing the role of guns in suicide and how means safety could be leveraged to lower the national suicide rate.
The book is currently available on Amazon and through other retailers.
What are we working on?
SEDL is a busy place, with many projects ongoing at any given time. In early 2018, Dr. Anestis and his co-investigators - Dr. Dan Capron, Dr. Craig Bryan, and AnnaBelle Bryan - launched a clinical trial on means safety funded by the Military Suicide Research Consortium (MSRC). This project, entitled Project Safe Guard, aims to increase safe storage of personal firearms and focuses on young male National Guard personnel. We have completed enrollment and follow-up analyses and look forward to publishing our results soon!
Recently, Dr. Anestis was awarded two additional grants by MSRC. In each, he will serve as the co-investigator (PI: Dan Capron, PhD). Both projects are clinical trials focused on suicide prevention in the National Guard. One will utilize a novel brief behavioral economics intervention to increase help-seeking among National Guard personnel. The other will utilize a smart phone based intervention focused on anxiety sensitivity cognitive concerns to reduce suicide risk among National Guard personnel with lifetime suicidal ideation.
Additionally, Dr. Anestis has an active line of research examining the role of firearms in suicide and potential methods for mitigating that risk. There are several other projects planned for the coming year, not to mention the many projects being led by the remarkable grad students in the lab
Recently, Dr. Anestis was awarded two additional grants by MSRC. In each, he will serve as the co-investigator (PI: Dan Capron, PhD). Both projects are clinical trials focused on suicide prevention in the National Guard. One will utilize a novel brief behavioral economics intervention to increase help-seeking among National Guard personnel. The other will utilize a smart phone based intervention focused on anxiety sensitivity cognitive concerns to reduce suicide risk among National Guard personnel with lifetime suicidal ideation.
Additionally, Dr. Anestis has an active line of research examining the role of firearms in suicide and potential methods for mitigating that risk. There are several other projects planned for the coming year, not to mention the many projects being led by the remarkable grad students in the lab
In the News
Dr. Anestis co-wrote an editorial with Ky Hunter of Brady about firearms and suicide in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Dr. Anestis was interviewed on a podcast about firearms and suicide by the Rocky Mountain MIRECC at the Denver VA.
The American Psychological Association wrote an extensive profile on SEDL, with a particular focus on our firearms work.
Dr. Anestis was quoted in the Washington Post, discussing firearms and suicide.
Dr. Anestis wrote an editorial about firearms and suicide in the Houston Chronicle.
Dr. Anestis chaired a committee for the American Association of Suicidology that drafted a policy statement on firearms and suicide.
Dr. Anestis discusses firearms and suicide in Bright Magazine.
Coverage of a study on firearm legislation and suicide by Drs. Mike and Joye Anestis as well as Sarah Butterworth in the New York Times.
Dr. Anestis discusses the death of Chris Cornell on Mashable.
Dr. Anestis discusses Gov Phil Bryant's response to President Obama's executive orders on background checks in an OpEd in the Jackson Clarion Ledger
Dr. Anestis published a letter to the editor in the New York Times addressing the failure to discuss suicide in the conversation on background checks
Coverage of multiple studies by Dr. Anestis and colleagues on firearms and suicide in the Los Angeles Times.
Coverage of a study by Drs. Mike and Joye Anestis on firearms legislation and suicide in the New York Times and CNN.
Dr. Anestis discusses firearms and suicide in Mississippi in an interview on Mississippi Public Broadcasting
Dr. Anestis discusses firearms and suicide in an editorial in the Hattiesburg American
Dr. Anestis discusses impulsivity, suicide, and the Germanwings tragedy in the New Republic
Dr. Anestis discusses potential causes of suicide risk in soldiers in a Reuters article
Dr. Anestis was interviewed on a podcast about firearms and suicide by the Rocky Mountain MIRECC at the Denver VA.
The American Psychological Association wrote an extensive profile on SEDL, with a particular focus on our firearms work.
Dr. Anestis was quoted in the Washington Post, discussing firearms and suicide.
Dr. Anestis wrote an editorial about firearms and suicide in the Houston Chronicle.
Dr. Anestis chaired a committee for the American Association of Suicidology that drafted a policy statement on firearms and suicide.
Dr. Anestis discusses firearms and suicide in Bright Magazine.
Coverage of a study on firearm legislation and suicide by Drs. Mike and Joye Anestis as well as Sarah Butterworth in the New York Times.
Dr. Anestis discusses the death of Chris Cornell on Mashable.
Dr. Anestis discusses Gov Phil Bryant's response to President Obama's executive orders on background checks in an OpEd in the Jackson Clarion Ledger
Dr. Anestis published a letter to the editor in the New York Times addressing the failure to discuss suicide in the conversation on background checks
Coverage of multiple studies by Dr. Anestis and colleagues on firearms and suicide in the Los Angeles Times.
Coverage of a study by Drs. Mike and Joye Anestis on firearms legislation and suicide in the New York Times and CNN.
Dr. Anestis discusses firearms and suicide in Mississippi in an interview on Mississippi Public Broadcasting
Dr. Anestis discusses firearms and suicide in an editorial in the Hattiesburg American
Dr. Anestis discusses impulsivity, suicide, and the Germanwings tragedy in the New Republic
Dr. Anestis discusses potential causes of suicide risk in soldiers in a Reuters article
Exciting developments!
Dr. Anestis has taken a new position as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and as Associate Professor of Urban-Global Public Health at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey!
Sarah Butterworth will be completing her predoctoral internship at the Pittsburgh VA!
Dr. Houtsma has accepted a position as a staff psychologist at the New Orleans VA!
Dr. Jun has accepted a position as a postdoctoral fellow at the Capital Institute for Cognitive Therapy in Washington, DC!
Dr. Anestis was awarded the Edwin Schniedman Award for early career achievement by the American Association of Suicidology! He accepted this award at the annual conference in Washington, DC in April 2018.
Sarah Butterworth will be completing her predoctoral internship at the Pittsburgh VA!
Dr. Houtsma has accepted a position as a staff psychologist at the New Orleans VA!
Dr. Jun has accepted a position as a postdoctoral fellow at the Capital Institute for Cognitive Therapy in Washington, DC!
Dr. Anestis was awarded the Edwin Schniedman Award for early career achievement by the American Association of Suicidology! He accepted this award at the annual conference in Washington, DC in April 2018.
Where can you see us?
In these times of social distancing, SEDL does not have any in person public events planned. We hope to see you all again before long though. Stay safe!