WellWithin Coach and Beyond MST are free, secure apps that address the specific health challenges of women veterans.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has designed two apps for women veterans that meet their specific needs. The apps are free and secure, and no personal information is required or shared with VA. And women veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA to download and use the apps, or have to be a veteran.
WellWithin Coach. “Because women veterans face a distinct set of challenges, this app was built to reflect that reality,” said Dr. Christine Armstrong, clinical psychologist at the VA’s Office of Connected Care, during a recent VSO communicator’s call.
The app:
· Tracks comprehensive health like mental wellness, pregnancy, postpartum health, menopause and relationships all in one place.
· Tackles some common struggles women veterans face such as post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, insomnia and caregiving.
· Features over 60 interactive mental health tools.
· Provides immediate access to mental health hotlines and emergency resources.
“So help is never more than a tap away,” Armstrong said. “This app gives women veterans practical, actionable support every single day.”
Beyond MST. “This app addresses the most sensitive and important areas of women veterans health,” Armstrong said. “The app was created specifically for MST (military sexual trauma) survivors to help them find new sources of support and takes steps toward healing at their own pace.”
The app:
· Offers over 30 specialized tools to help MST survivors cope with challenges and manage symptoms that often follow trauma.
· Delivers education about MST and common concerns in a format that is supportive and non-judgmental to “meet veterans exactly where there are in their recovery,” Armstrong said.
· Includes brief assessments to better understand symptoms, beliefs, and recovery progress.
· Enables goal setting and progress tracking toward personal recovery objectives.
· Protects privacy completely – no account needed, PIN lock available and no data is shared with the VA.
“Veterans can engage with this resource with complete confidence that their experience remains their own,” Armstrong said.
The VA also has an app that is designed for health-care professionals working with women veterans – Preconception Care app. The app helps health-care providers approach women veterans “in a consistent, supportive, evidence-based way,” Armstrong said.
The app:
· Includes comprehensive pregnancy planning guidance covering birth control, family planning and prevention strategies.
· Enhances patient conversations by providing recommended questions, evidence-based talking points for mental health discussions and medical risk assessments.
· Offers standardized checklists for lifestyle factors critical to preconception health including substance use, intimate partner violence and nutrition.
· Connects women veterans to VA resources and evidence-based programs from Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
- Women Veterans