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The 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reinforces a critical reality: the threat landscape in the United States remains complex, evolving, and increasingly decentralized. While much of the report focuses on terrorism, cyber threats, and geopolitical tensions, one underlying theme deserves greater attention, the growing intersection between behavioral health challenges and targeted violence . A Shift Toward the Individual Acto

In the late 1990s, a major public health decision changed the way many Americans consume vitamin B9. To reduce the risk of neural tube defects in newborns, the U.S. mandated that folic acid be added to enriched grain products such as bread, cereal, pasta, and rice. The policy was successful in achieving its primary goal, rates of neural tube defects dropped significantly. However, an important distinction often gets overlooked in conversations about nutrition and health: fo

In prevention and whole-person health, we are increasingly moving away from the belief that genes determine our destiny. Genes do not “break,” nor are they necessarily permanent in their effects. Instead, they can become dysregulated through single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) , which interact with lifestyle, environmental exposures, and behavioral factors. There are seven highly influential genes that act like biological “switches” for how we respond to stress, toxins, fo

For decades, genetics was viewed as destiny. If a disease “ran in the family,” it seemed inevitable. But advances in environmental health and molecular biology have transformed that narrative. Today, we understand that our genes are not static scripts, they are dynamic systems influenced by the world around us. At the heart of this shift is the concept of the exposome : the totality of environmental, social, and lifestyle exposures that shape our biology across the lifespan.

Behavioral challenges, whether in schools, workplaces, or communities, are often interpreted through psychological, social, or environmental lenses. But there’s another layer we are just beginning to understand: biology. Specifically, some parasitic infections can influence the brain and contribute to changes in behavior and cognition in negative ways. What the Research Says Brain-Invading Parasites and Behavioral Change One of the most studied examples is Toxoplasma gondii

When we talk about behavior in schools and communities, we usually focus on environment, relationships, stress, trauma, and social context. All of those matter. But there is another powerful driver that is often overlooked in behavioral conversations: hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers that help regulate how the brain and body respond to stress, sleep, growth, threat, connection, and emotion. When they are out of balance or rapidly changing they can significantly affe

For decades, violence risk assessment has relied heavily on behavioral history, criminal records, and psychiatric diagnoses. While these factors remain essential, emerging research shows they are only part of the picture . A growing body of evidence, including a key forensic psychiatry review published in Behavioral Sciences & the Law , demonstrates that neurobiology and psychiatric comorbidity play a critical role in violent behavior . This shift has important implications f

How might underlying biological factors such as brain injury, medical conditions, sleep disruption, substance use, or chronic stress influence an individual’s behavior, emotional regulation, and decision-making in ways that could be misinterpreted as purely behavioral or disciplinary issues? I’m glad you asked!  To ensure Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) teams conduct comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessments that account for biological, medical, and neur

Behavioral health conditions are often approached through the lens of psychology, psychiatry, and social factors, and for good reason. Trauma, environment, genetics, and life experiences all play critical roles in mental and emotional well-being. However, one foundational contributor is frequently overlooked or minimized: nutrition . The brain is a metabolically demanding organ. It requires a continuous supply of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids to regulate mo

When most people hear the word “creatine,” they think of bodybuilders or athletes looking to bulk up. But a growing body of research says: wait, there may be more to it than just muscle gains. The 2022 review by Forbes and colleagues looked at the effects of creatine supplementation on brain function and health (not just muscles). It examines how creatine (and a related compound called GAA) may influence cognitive performance, mood, the brain’s energy systems, and recovery a

When we think about blood pressure, we often focus on the heart. But the brain may be the organ most affected by how well, or poorly, blood pressure is regulated. The brain depends on a constant, well-controlled blood supply to deliver oxygen and nutrients while removing metabolic waste. Even modest disruptions in blood pressure can influence cognition, mood, and long-term brain health How Blood Pressure Supports the Brain Although the brain represents only about 2% of total

As the calendar turns, millions of people commit to New Year’s resolutions centered on healthier living, eating better, exercising more, reducing stress, and improving mental well-being. In fact, over 60% of adults set health-related resolutions each year , with physical health and mental wellness consistently ranking at the top. Yet by February, nearly 80% of resolutions have already been abandoned . What if one simple practice could improve both physical and mental health a

Mold exposure is often discussed in terms of respiratory symptoms, allergies, or asthma. Far less attention is given to its effects on the brain and nervous system, despite growing evidence that mold and mycotoxin exposure can significantly impair neurocognitive functioning and influence behavior. In environments such as schools, workplaces, and homes, these effects can have serious implications for learning, emotional regulation, and safety. How Mold Affects the Brain Certai

Injuries from violent acts, whether by sharp instruments like knives or by firearms, are a major global public health issue. While overall violence accounts for millions of deaths annually, the modes by which those deaths occur vary widely around the world . Firearm Injuries & Deaths: The Global Toll Global Summary Firearm mortality has shown little decline over recent decades and remains a major source of fatal violence Estimated global firearm deaths (all causes) ≈ ~250,

The National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform report— Toledo, Ohio Cost of Gun Violence paints a stark picture of the human and economic toll that firearm violence imposes on our community. According to recent data, Toledo continues to grapple with high rates of fatal and nonfatal shootings, averaging dozens each year with skyrocketing costs to taxpayers, public services, and neighborhood wellbeing. However, this report did not address another underlying problem Toledo

Today, courts are being called to do more than adjudicate cases, they are becoming integral to prevention , early intervention , and successful reintegration . As communities face rising concerns about violence, complex behavioral health needs, and recidivism, the judicial system is uniquely positioned to bridge gaps between public safety and public health. By adopting behavioral threat assessment frameworks and strengthening reentry and reintegration strategies , courts can

School safety has traditionally been framed around hardware and emergency responses, cameras, controlled entrances, lockdown drills, and rapid notifications. Featured in a recent publication by the Campus Safety Magazine , ten school districts in Wood County, Ohio are embracing a new model that recognizes a deeper truth: students are safest when they are supported, connected, and seen early. Through a countywide pilot program led by the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Hea

Across the State of Ohio, juvenile justice and community-supervision programs are searching for strategies that do more than manage risk, they want to transform it. The pilot fitness program at the Northwest Ohio Juvenile Residential Center (JRC) demonstrates that physical activity is not just a wellness add-on. It’s a structured, evidence-supported intervention that strengthens resilience, emotional regulation, and prosocial behavior, all essential components of behavioral

Across schools, public safety, healthcare, and behavioral threat assessment teams, one foundational factor consistently influences well-being, performance, and safety: sleep . Adequate sleep is a biological reset system that supports emotional regulation, cognition, and decision-making. When sleep breaks down, behavioral health, and sometimes safety, often deteriorates. This blog and the following resources guide ( Toolkit here !) outlines the shared importance of sleep acros

Communities across the country are looking for ways to better support individuals with behavioral health needs, before a crisis leads to violence or criminal justice involvement. Two powerful frameworks are helping professionals connect the dots between prevention, intervention, and care: the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) and Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) . Understanding the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) The Sequential Intercept Model provides a ro