Sara Kohlbeck

Sara Kohlbeck is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She is affiliated with the Comprehensive Injury Center and the Wisconsin Institute of NeuroScience (WINS), focusing on interdisciplinary research bridging mental health and public health.

Research Interests: Dr. Kohlbeck specializes in suicide prevention, mental health disparities, and community-based interventions. Her work examines biopsychosocial factors in rural and agricultural populations, firearm safety, and systems-level approaches to violence prevention. She employs mixed-methods research and collaborates across disciplines to address structural barriers in healthcare access.

Recent Publications: Her recent articles highlight trends in suicide screening, farmer suicide risk, trauma-informed data systems, and community partnerships (e.g., with tattoo artists). These studies span Journal of Rural Health, Archives of Suicide Research, and Injury Prevention, reflecting her focus on actionable public health strategies.

Methodology: Dr. Kohlbeck integrates epidemiological analysis, qualitative interviews, and implementation science frameworks like the Cardiff Model. She applies Haddon’s Matrix for prevention planning and uses diffusion of innovation theory to evaluate systemic interventions.