Early Alert, Cabana and Televeda use technology to connect with veterans for mental health support and other needed services.
In 2022, the Department of Veterans Affairs launched its $20 million Mission Daybreak initiative asking the public for innovative veteran suicide prevention solutions. Since then, over 260 concepts have been received with seven funded pilots.
Focus areas for innovations to be piloted and evaluated include:
1. Improve services for non-VA affiliated veterans
2. Strengthen post-crisis and care transition supports
3. Address acute crisis moments by enhancing crisis response and lethal means safety
During a recent veterans service organization (VSO) call, Dr. Amanda Lienau, director of Open Innovation with VHA Innovation Ecosystem, shared three of the pilots.
Early Alert. Veterans, whether enrolled in the VA system or not, receive wellness checks via text messages and can be connected to relevant support services, including VA services. Veterans can sign up directly here.
Early Alert “allows for a veteran to choose to receive low frequency text messages about once a week, sometimes twice a week, of just asking how they are doing and if they need any help,” Lienau said. “They have mechanisms for triaging, should a person indicate that they are experiencing distress.”
The project launched last September and over 3,000 veterans are currently using this pilot, Lienau added.
Cabana. Offers anonymous, professionally moderated peer support groups and resources to reduce isolation and improve mental health without barriers like stigma, privacy concerns, or the need to travel. Veterans can use aliases, change their voices, and/or participate off camera. Cabana is currently operating with veterans in North and South Carolina.
“The goal of the Cabana pilot is really giving a high touch solution that also allows for anonymity. So people can be anonymous on this platform,” Lienau said. “It is available to any veteran in this region.”
Televeda. Designed for American Indian and Alaska Native veterans, Televeda offers in-person Talking Circles and virtual Talking Circles through a "Virtual Talking Circle" app combined with storytelling curriculum. To get started, contact your tribal VSO.
If you are a private sector company, nonprofit or institution of higher learning that has an innovative idea for veteran suicide prevention, care coordination and treatment, apply to the Mission Daybreak challenge here. More information is available at missiondaybreak.net.
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