The UNC Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research was instrumental in helping CSSP provide the final step in connecting Servicemembers, Veterans and their families to behavioral health resources.  As described on the Connecting Tab, CSSP, with the help of the Sheps Center created www.warwithin.org as a directory of primary and behavioral health providers who are trained in, or who have expressed an interest in serving the specific needs of military members and their families.  WarWithin.org was a web based, anonymous search engine where Servicemembers, Veterans and their families could enter symptoms (vs diagnosis) and search for providers in their area.  Modeled in North Carolina, it had over 1200 providers in 96 of the 100 counties.  These local civilian health providers understood the challenges of deployment-related issues such as PTSD, TBI, depression, substance use disorder and suicide and to address the concern that a reservist might have a lapse in care during the deployment cycle as they switch from civilian to military health insurance. These providers had taken the CSSP in person or online training, wanted to serve this population and were accepting new patients.  They often accepted networked insurance or offered reduced, sliding scale or pro-bono services.

The search results showed detailed provider information and Google maps of the providers office location.

Special thanks to Roger Akers from the Sheps Center and Thu-Mai Christian from the Odum Institute who helped validate provider licensure and provider access.