My name is Michael Toland and I am a veteran who served on active duty with the U.S. Air Force for over fifteen years as an enlisted member and then as an officer. Upon separation from active duty service, I joined and eventually retired from the Air Force Reserves. During my military career, I participated in Operation Just Cause in Panama earning the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. I am pursuing my doctoral degree in Public Policy and Administration at Walden University. My research interests center on how stigma affects the mental health-seeking behaviors of active duty soldiers who have returned from serving in a combat location such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Specifically, I plan to study the effectiveness of the Army’s mental health training program Battlemind.

I have created an online survey that will allow me to collect the data I need for my study: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BattlemindSurvey. The online survey consists of demographic questions and several standardized assessment tools that have been used in previous empirical studies. My goal is to reach as many respondents as possible to ensure a strong study. The survey is anonymous, so you will not be asked to provide any identifying information such as your name or other contact information. Surveys completed by you will be coded numerically in such a way that they cannot be linked to your personal accounts. To increase your anonymity, this site’s names will not be mentioned in my dissertation or any subsequent publications. Please note though, that I will have to mention site and group names in my university’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) application, which is a review that will ensure my study protects human subjects. I am required as a researcher to submit an application to the IRB again to ensure any human subjects that may be part of my study are properly protected, but specific information pertaining to the study does not become part of my dissertation. After my dissertation is successfully defended and approved by my school, I will gladly make it available to anyone who would like it.

In closing, I would like you to know that I am proud of the men and women who serve our country. Personally, as a veteran I know the dedication it takes to serve. As a parent I know the pride of those who defend our nation. My son, who is a citizen-soldier, has already been deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait, and will more than likely be deployed again in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at michael.toland @ waldenu.edu if you have any questions or would like to discuss this further.

Thank you for taking time to consider my request.

Sincerely,

Mike