How can we use technology to attack suicide?

Erik Kastman — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 15:39:24 -0400

On RallyPoint, we’ve seen people come to the site to ask questions and build connections around all aspects of joining, serving in, transitioning from, and reminiscing about military life. It’s helpful to have so many people here who are knowledgeable, helpful, and eager to offer assistance where they can be useful. Unfortunately, some of our fellow members’ questions come from service members, veterans, family members, caregivers and survivors who are struggling with mental health challenges, especially now more than ever (https://rly.pt/SocialDistance). And this isn’t just a problem caused by all the challenges we are facing in the wake of the coronavirus. It’s been showing a trend in the wrong direction even before anyone in the US had COVID 19 (https://rly.pt/smSuicideSpike).

Nobody has figured out suicide and there’s no better population to serve against this problem than those on RallyPoint. One reason we have the best military on earth is because we have amazing people operating sophisticated technology around the world ready to fight and win America’s wars. But how can we employ technology to attack suicide: the silent enemy that lurks among our warfighters, veterans and families that is often unseen until it has landed its death blow?

RallyPoint has taken the position of being a place for the military community to more easily help each other as individuals on issues ranging from joining the ranks of those in service, to gaining and maintaining readiness, to transitioning and finally allowing those who have left service to pay it forward to those a few steps earlier in the process. Many of our members have faced similar challenges and found a way to fight through them, and are uniquely able to offer support because of their own experiences.

Additionally, members of the RallyPoint team have joined in support by sharing the best resources available when people are asking for help. But how can we improve the way we take care of people who find themselves in these tough situations and decide to share their struggles with our community?

For starters, RallyPoint members have created nearly 6 million public posts about military life so we realized there has to be a better way to make sure that people who are publicly sharing their worries about their mental health are met with the help they seek. What if that struggling member doesn’t tag a post correctly, or they don’t have connections to see that they are sharing signs of suicide risk? This is where we can use technology to alert the community and make reaching out as fast and consistent as possible.

RallyPoint is piloting algorithms that alert the right members of the team to share emergency resources when someone is saying things publicly that indicate they might be at risk of suicide. High priority messages are sent to the RallyPoint team when people use words and phrases in the unique context of expressing worry about self harm. This only happens for posts shared publicly. These posts are made by members who know - and in these cases, desperately hope - that many others who are outside their personal network will see their posts and respond in a helpful manner.

Now for the hardest question: what do we do now? We are working with leading partners in the public and private sectors to figure this out and want your feedback. What are the best programs you’ve seen that you think are leading the way in supporting military mental health? Are there other technologies you like that help people through these troubling issues?

The only way we’re going to successfully mount a successful attack against suicide is if we do it together and we look forward to your input in this journey.

Social distance: the best prescription for physical health but the worst for mental health |...

Like many veterans in the workforce trying to stay productive while offices, schools, and social gathering places are limiting our contact with each other, I’m trying to find my new normal. I think the social distancing preventative measures that we are all taking to flatten the curve and reduce the risks of this coronavirus will likely save a lot of people who would have otherwise died waiting for a ventilator to free up. However, the major...

Response by CPT David Gowel made Aug 6 at 2020 3:45 PM

CPT David Gowel — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 15:45:49 -0400

Erik, thanks for the important work you are doing on this front. I think VSOs are a key part of this equation. There are many programs out there that are already saving lives and many of them don’t have the technology to scale what they do. Using technology (in whatever form is relevant to the person in need) to help people make the decisions that are best for them with VSOs and other programs seems to be a good direction.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 7 at 2020 9:59 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 21:59:03 -0400

I wrote a PTSD/Depression self help paper. It is linked to a website, thus making it more accessible.

Response by SPC Robert Coventry made Aug 9 at 2020 1:15 AM

SPC Robert Coventry — Sun, 09 Aug 2020 01:15:57 -0400

I really would like to help, is the 30 hours of training helpful so we can help our Brothers and Sisters?

Response by SrA Kevin Smith made Aug 18 at 2020 9:49 AM

SrA Kevin Smith — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 09:49:22 -0400

My name is Kevin Smith and I am an Air Force veteran that has had my veteran's disability claim denied on the grounds that my deployment to Saudi during Operation Desert Storm/Shield could not be verified from my personnel records. Meaning there are no copies of travel orders or pay records to confirm my deployment. Fact is Air Force Chief of Staff Francis L. Hutter ordered proof of deployment removed from my records 1/23/1993. The document he ordered removed was authored by my commander in Saudi and its contents supported the abrupt end of my deployment early due to anxieties/PTSD. The document removed was an AF form 77 and it was an evaluation letter used to fill gaps in reporting the original AF form 77 was ordered removed and replaced with one that is unsigned and undated. The comment section where there would have been dialog supporting why my tour was ending early and why I was being returned stateside has a stamp that reads "not rated, report order removed by CMSGT Francis L. Hutter 23/ January 1993."

I reference the deliberate actions of the Air Force/Veteran Affairs to manipulate my personnel and medical records to facilitate discharge without providing me healthcare and benefits as lynching by keystroke. Exposure and resolution are forthcoming if given the opportunity to share my story. Furthermore, I am of the opinion that tactics and ploys such as the ones employed against me are responsible for the choices twenty-two veterans a day make to end their fight for healthcare and benefits earned from their military service. On behalf of all veterans, I pray a life be saved if a cry for help is heard.

Words of little meaning like the VA motto, "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" are empty expressions, smoke, and mirrors. The question is often asked about why a veteran would choose to end their fight by suicide. Because of being forced to live inside of a storm fabricated by the Departement of Veterans Affairs I invite anyone reading this that is sincere about being apart of suicide prevention to contact me. [login to see] .edu
To VA program directors and staff, please don't stand outside of the battlefield observing, get on the field of battle with us. We are weary of fighting alone

Response by SPC Cary Reichbach made Aug 19 at 2020 10:45 AM

SPC Cary Reichbach — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 10:45:09 -0400

Erik, I am incredibly pleased to see Rally Point using its vast platform to address this pressing crisis. I completely agree that technology can help bring awareness of a faltering veteran who may be exhibiting signs of depression/anxiety and be at-risk of suicide.

I Co-Founded Grey Team (http://www.greyteam.org) from growing tired of watching amazing people who served this great nation, take their lives due to the frustration of trying to obtain the medical care we were all promised. One of the reasons the American military fights so hard is because we are given a promise that the government has our back and no soldier will be left behind. Unfortunately in practice, this is often not the case, too many warriors fall through the cracks left open by shoddy administrators and lack of care at the VA.

I, personally, have dealt with VA bureaucrats who value their time towards retirement much more than the lives they have sworn to save and heal. Sometimes I feel like I am beating my head against a wall bloody as I attempt to freely share the invaluable data we have collected at Grey team, and the real-life advances our efforts in research and technology have generated.

Grey Team has a 100% success rate of completely rebooting a veteran's life by using a combination of basic fundamentals, futuristic healing technologies, and the reinstatement of purpose and passion.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Aug 21 at 2020 11:25 AM

Maj Kim Patterson — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 11:25:10 -0400

Erik Kastman last Saturday I and 4 other team members put on a music fest for “Forgotten22” Here in KS, veterans were free. I see so many organizations trying to help and we are duplicating efforts yet still losing people. Is it possible to run a thread of all the nonprofits working to help those at risk for suicide including ones homeless veterans without technology or phones can access?

Response by SPC Cary Reichbach made Sep 1 at 2020 2:05 PM

SPC Cary Reichbach — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 14:05:49 -0400

At Grey Team, we approached this problem at a fundamental level. Rather than designing an algorithm to sense warning language in internet posts or wait for an individual to start exhibiting signs of anxiety and depression, we came up with a solution that works by basic design.

It is well known that nearly all veterans after leaving the military suffer from losing their culture, purpose, income, friendships, and that extremely all-encompassing, infrastructure which provided soldiers nearly all of the essentials of life. This allowed them to focus 100% on being a warrior but when that soldier is separated, he/she gives up all of this and part of themselves in the process. While some may trivialize this, it must be recognized as the fundamental "rug being pulled out from under".

Self-care must now be learned, and a new priority placed on physical and mental wellness. Without this primary piece in place, physical and mental pain become amplified and the downward spiral begins. The majority of the veterans applying for services at Grey Team have already tried many other avenues of help and are either finding them to be ineffective or are being placed on an extended waiting list. We know from experience, this leads to that downward spiral, and all too often, suicide.

To potentially save these lives, Grey Team offers veterans a 90-day program based on their individual needs. This may include; One-on-One Personal Fitness Training, Full-Body Photobiomodulation, Infrared Detoxification Therapy, Nutritional Counseling, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, access to our “Safe-Space” Veteran only group discussions and activities, and more. All of this is provided on a complimentary basis, with no costs incurred by the veteran.

In terms of sustainability, roughly 75% of the veterans who graduate the program choose to stay on as mentors for the next incoming cohort. They have learned newfound desire/respect for health and wellness, and enjoy contributing to a community where those ideals are sought after and prioritized instead of alcoholism and painkillers.

http://www.greyteam.org

Preventing PTSD Related Suicides Across The United States- Grey Team

Building and implementing solutions for U.S. military veterans to help reduce and eliminate PTSD related suicides. Donate today and become a driving force.

Response by SPC Joe Meisch made Nov 29 at 2023 8:52 PM

SPC Joe Meisch — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 20:52:18 -0500

Mr. Madden, Hope you are well Sir. I am Joe Meisch, Army 12 B, 62 J.
I would like to communicate with you regarding your Mental Health work. I invented the Temple Massager device, a mental health tool. I am now working with UCSF, San Francisco VA, Palo Alto, CA VA on a pilot study. The device originated out of FOB's in Iraq and Afghanistan. Then Walter Reed and Bethesda. This is with Dr Sabra Inslicht and Dr. John McQuaid. I am currently working with and selling to Police, Fire and 911 dispatchers. Our device will be available on GSA starting in Jan 24 and my company is a registered participant in the VA;s Pathfinder program.

Happy to elaborate with your returned contact. I am at [login to see] Email, [login to see]
Respectfully.

Response by SPC Joe Meisch made Dec 4 at 2023 12:58 PM

SPC Joe Meisch — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 12:58:44 -0500

Habit Replacement Therapy through Tactile Stimulation. We incorporated this strategy into the Temple Massager. The Temple Massager is made of Ballistic Nylon - the same material as hand guards and pistol grip of M16 and M4 rifles.
I worked with our Air Force veteran engineer to reshape the Temple Massager device handle to feel similar to the that of a weapon. As it was explained to me by Psychologists, just like a smoker trying to stop smoking it helps to have a lighter shaped item of wood or other material to feel like a cigarette lighter to handle in the pocket and just like smoker using cinnamon sticks to puff on and feel between the fingers. This is tactile stimulation. This is an alternative option to avoid handling a gun for comfort and security.
Instead the device delivers cranial massage, acupressure and aromatherapy. This is called Autonomic and Olfactory nerve stimulation simultaneously to trigger the Relaxation Response through Parasympathetic activation interrupting the Sympathetic reaction.
Hope to share more with Rally Point Mental Health staff.