How RallyPoint is tackling mental health, and where we can use your help

SSG Carlos Madden — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 09:24:00 -0500

[Pictured: Sample image of this new mental health help feature]

Bottom line up front: Mental health challenges continue to be a major problem in the broader military, veteran, family member, and caregiver community. Warfighting is hard. Training for it is hard. Returning from it is hard. And in many cases, life doesn’t get any easier afterwards.

Dealing with these issues on our own is difficult because of the stigma attached to addressing it, especially in the military where any signs of “weakness” can be a career killer. By ignoring the symptoms we see - both in ourselves and those around us - we cannot get help and will suffer in silence while we continue to lose our brothers and sisters.

From my many years as RallyPoint’s Community Manager, I’ve seen members from many backgrounds - veteran, service member, all branches and jobs - post about their struggles. Some were more obvious than others. Tragically, not all of those members are still with us or their families today.

I’ve often wondered: How can I do better? What role can RallyPoint play in this crisis?

Choosing not to say something when I didn’t have the right words filled me with guilt, but saying the wrong thing given my lack of training could have negative consequences. Since RallyPoint is not a mental health service provider and most of us who see signs of mental health risk factors are not mental health professionals, we’re taking the steps we can to make a difference with minimal risk to those we serve.

For years, we have been carefully exploring (https://rly.pt/3WkboqR) how we can help play a role as part of the solution instead of sitting on the sidelines. If you’ve seen others on RallyPoint publicly post and thought “that person could use some help”, you’ve likely seen our team jump into the discussion to share options for immediate help that our mental health experts have suggested. These interventions on publicly shared “cries for help” are a result of this exploration to date.

The next phase of how we plan to help our community reduce mental health stress will deploy additional technology tools for direct and peer-to-peer interventions. Since we’ve met a meaningful level of success with our existing efforts, you will start to see alerts on pages where public signs of mental distress risk may be present.

If our system thinks you may benefit from mental health resources based on what you’ve publicly shared with other RallyPoint members, we’ll share some options for you to get help immediately.

If you are viewing a page where someone else has publicly indicated they could use some help, you may see a digital prompt suggesting how you can react appropriately to help in a manner that minimizes the risk without adding to the stress.

The technology is a work in progress - based on your feedback, we’ll improve it and adapt over time - so please let us know if you see any of these new features at a time when you sense it does not hit the mark . We believe your real intelligence will always be better than any artificial intelligence we can develop, especially when dealing with such an important element of the RallyPoint experience.

To make this successful, we can’t do it alone. Let us know your feedback, including what you like, don’t like, or new ideas we should consider. Together, we look forward to helping our community improve our collective mental health one connection at a time.

For a more in depth interview with Dr. Matthew Nock about our work, check out his interview with Federal News Network: https://federalnewsnetwork.com/veterans-affairs/2023/10/a-promising-new-avenue-to-help-prevent-suicides-among-veterans/

You can reply to this post or send us an email at [login to see] .

How can we use technology to attack suicide? | RallyPoint

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...

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Nov 20 at 2023 9:34 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 09:34:15 -0500

To SSG Carlos Madden and, really, the entire RP team, THANK YOU!

Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou, a million times thank you.

I have struggled with depression off and on for over 30 years. I have gained a remarkable level of self-awareness so I can see when things are getting bad and go get help on my own. But I realize that I am the exception in this realm, not the standard. And even then, recognizing the need for help is not the same as GETTING help.

I know I am not alone in my struggle, and every single helpful thing that we can add to the toolbox to help both those struggling and those trying to help is a good thing. Thank you for adding a tool, AND for being dedicated to improving the tool over time.

Little things save lives. And even one life saved is a phenomenal success. (And this has the potential to go beyond "little things" AND to save more than just one life.)

So thank you. Thank you for caring. And for doing something.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2023 11:31 AM

SP5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 11:31:30 -0500

SSG Carlos Madden Many thanks for providing another, and needed, pathway to help. I'm currently in the middle of 12 cancer treatments which have damaged both my physical and mental well being. Part of my treatment is to address dealing with the mental/emotional impact of the condition, so I appreciate what you are doing for our community of service personnel.
I wish the issues had been recognized when my dad came home from WW2 and Korea. He was impacted by his experiences. Never really the same afterward, according to those who knew him before the war(s)

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2023 1:07 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 13:07:54 -0500

SSG Carlos Madden Thank you for putting RallyPoint on the front lines in the fight for mental health. As you mentioned, family members and caregivers also have their own struggles. RallyPoint is adding excellent tools in the battle against depression and suicide that will have a positive impact on our community.

Response by SPC David S. made Nov 21 at 2023 12:39 PM

SPC David S. — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 12:39:42 -0500

This is great news and great to see that mental health is being tackled from a tech side. From my experience in helping individuals with mental health one thing I found helpful has been being able to know the location of someone in crisis. While I understand and appreciate individuals' rights concerning their privacy and not knowing if this is something already integrated in the mobile app but possibly an option to allow geo location in the app version would be helpful.

Great work in addressing mental health is a positive way RP!

Response by SSG Robert Vernon made Nov 21 at 2023 5:30 PM

SSG Robert Vernon — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 17:30:51 -0500

I want to thank Rally Point bringing in this site for all of the Veterans, I know for a given fact I will be part of the site, to share and talk with other Veterans who may have gone through what I did or is going through, Especially at this time of the year, with the Holidays around the corner its going to be a very welcome site in my life. I do want it to be known I will always make time for my brothers and sister veterans, and even active duty if you just need an ear to bend .

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2023 6:07 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 18:07:14 -0500

I would like to commend the leaders of RallyPoint for everything they do to help veterans and the help with mental health issues. My hat is off to all of you, well done people!

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Nov 21 at 2023 6:40 PM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 18:40:44 -0500

YOUR LINK IS NOT WORKING CHECK THE URL

STEPHENS

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Nov 22 at 2023 2:06 PM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 14:06:42 -0500

The Absolute WORST Mental Health Issue I've EVER Had Was Actually CREATED By The VA Here In VEGAS......I Was Misdiagnosed As Being Bi-Polar, By A Civilian Psychiatrist .... KNOWING She Was Wrong, As Our Father Was Bi-Polar, I Contacted The VA.......Whom Totally IGNORED What I Had To Say & Continued With The WRONG Prescription... This Went On YEAR After YEAR. I Became Suicidal, In & Out Of The ER Weekly & Hospitalized As Well. As One Doctor Rotated In And Another Out...NOTHING Changed ....UNTIL One Doctor, Dr. Grey, Spent LESS Than 5 Minutes Listening To What I Had To Say ~~ Took Me OFF The Medication ...... Within 2 Days I was Better, By The End Of ONE Week, I Felt Fine... ... And I AIN'T Seen Another One Of Those Bastards Since...
~~ GLORY BE I'M CURED~~ !!

Response by PO2 Stephen Cline made Nov 23 at 2023 12:44 AM

PO2 Stephen Cline — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 00:44:57 -0500

I don't know if this what you are looking for. If it isn't delete it. From personal experience avoid the VA especially the Dallas VAMC. I've suffered from depression most of my life. Been hospitalized twice because of it since leaving the Navy. Been on every class of antidepressant there is. None worked, one made it worse. I originally went to my local VAMC for mental health services. I never saw the same doctor twice. Do you know what it's like having to start all over every time? If you don't go to a VAMC. Thankfully I've since learned new coping skills.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Nov 25 at 2023 7:52 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 07:52:11 -0500

This is a great addition to a growing series of platforms designed to provide real time support. Providing resources from within an existing network will allow those within to reach out for support more readily than others.

Great work.

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Nov 26 at 2023 5:53 AM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 05:53:13 -0500

Good Information For ALL Veterans To Know :
Sent: 11/25/2023 9:52:08 PM Pacific Standard Time.

~~~ I Just Kept Doing Research,~~~
~~And This Is What Showed Up ~~

Subject: "Is A Military Veteran Entitled To Care And Supplies, Through ANY Va Facility, Regardless Of Where He Resides"?
YES, a military veteran can receive medical products from out-of-state VA facilities, even if they are not living there. However, the veteran must be eligible for VA care without needing to enroll or be enrolled in VA health care 1. The eligibility for community care is dependent upon a veteran’s individual health care needs or circumstances 1. In most cases, veterans must receive approval from VA prior to obtaining care from a community provider 1. VA staff members generally make all eligibility determinations 1. Please note that VA is not authorized to ship medications or medical/surgical supply items outside of the U.S. or its territories 2. If you’re a veteran who lives overseas, you remain entitled to the benefits and services you earned through your military service. Most VA benefits are payable regardless of your place of residence or nationality 3. If you’re moving outside the U.S., you’ll need to sign up for the Foreign Medical Program. Through this program, VA will pay for certain needed health care services received in foreign countries to treat a service-connected disability or a disability that’s making a service-connected condition worse 4.
I hope this helps!

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Nov 26 at 2023 6:39 AM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 06:39:18 -0500

As Many Of You May Have Read: "I'm Playing Hell Trying To Get A Portable Oxygen Machine From My Local VA Here In Vegas"... They Told Me They Don't Supply Portables...
. ~~ SO, I Did Some Research~~
.Good Information For ALL Veterans To Know :
Sent: 11/25/2023 9:52:08 PM Pacific Standard Time.

~~~ I Just Kept Doing Research,~~~
~~And This Is What Showed Up ~~

Subject: "Is A Military Veteran Entitled To Care And Supplies, Through ANY Va Facility, Regardless Of Where He Resides"?
YES, a military veteran can receive medical products from out-of-state VA facilities, even if they are not living there. However, the veteran must be eligible for VA care without needing to enroll or be enrolled in VA health care 1. The eligibility for community care is dependent upon a veteran’s individual health care needs or circumstances 1. In most cases, veterans must receive approval from VA prior to obtaining care from a community provider 1. VA staff members generally make all eligibility determinations 1. Please note that VA is not authorized to ship medications or medical/surgical supply items outside of the U.S. or its territories 2. If you’re a veteran who lives overseas, you remain entitled to the benefits and services you earned through your military service. Most VA benefits are payable regardless of your place of residence or nationality 3. If you’re moving outside the U.S., you’ll need to sign up for the Foreign Medical Program. Through this program, VA will pay for certain needed health care services received in foreign countries to treat a service-connected disability or a disability that’s making a service-connected condition worse 4.
I hope this helps!.

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Nov 26 at 2023 2:15 PM

SGT Ruben Lozada — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 14:15:55 -0500

Good afternoon SSG Carlos Madden. Excellent post. Thank You for sharing this Brother Carlos.

Response by SGT Carl Mervyn made Nov 26 at 2023 9:39 PM

SGT Carl Mervyn — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 21:39:37 -0500

I have struggled with depression since I was nine years old, which is a long time ago. It did not get better while serving or since my honorable discharge. My therapist quit me in April and I have not had one since. I was enrolled in a cbt program for suicide prevention but it is limited to how much help they can give. As of now I have no therapist and was told if I called PEC mental health at my hospital they was to call the police. Thank you for letting me have a resource to let out some frustration.

Response by LCpl Craig A. Charbonneau made Nov 29 at 2023 8:40 AM

LCpl Craig A. Charbonneau — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 08:40:30 -0500

As a 100% SC P&T (PTSD) I think it’s fantastic that Rally Point is putting resources together to identify and implement tools to not only identify at risk veterans but options for resources available. I stumbled upon this article and I must have read it a million times before commenting. Thank you for all you are doing and if I can be an advocate for your work please reach out.

Craig

Response by SPC Joe Meisch made Dec 3 at 2023 10:42 PM

SPC Joe Meisch — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 22:42:57 -0500

Hello RP Mental Health. Anyone home? Anyone respond to this page? I am trying to contact you to engage with your Mental Health program and how I can help. I am working with UCSF, VA and Police with a tool I invented and patented then donated over 5000 to service members, veterans. Now selling to: Police, Fire and 911 dispatchers. My company is a Bunker Lab's company. Please contact me. Joe Meisch [login to see] [login to see]
Respectfully.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2023 4:12 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 04:12:00 -0500

SSG Carlos Madden Thank you to RP for caring about the members here. We members on this platform can reach out to fellow RPers to encourage and comfort, as opportunity presents itself, and communicate through the messaging system with individuals.
Part of combatting mental health (or emotional ) struggles is combatting loneliness which is rampant these days. For anyone who is is able, we should “encourage the disheartened, help the weak” (1 Thess 5:14) and “be compassionate to one another.” (Eph 4:32).

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2023 5:50 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 05:50:58 -0500

Prioritizing mental health is so important! There is also a current research effort ongoing about military leaders and their exposure / attitudes towards suicide for anyone who would like to help inform suicide prevention efforts across the DoD and NATO. Part 1 just takes 10 minutes - it is an anonymous online survey. Please consider completing!

Response by CPT Richard Carmody made Dec 7 at 2023 11:03 AM

CPT Richard Carmody — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 11:03:47 -0500

Interesting that we have a handgun ad next to mental health article when gun availability is leading source of suicide. Insensitive.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 31 at 2023 6:29 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 18:29:16 -0500

So, here it goes. I got this cryptic message below. I thought man this is weird because I had no clue who SGT Rally Point was and why was that person asking super sensitive questions. I had not given any indication that I had suicidal ideations. RP should always send a message of what the purpose of SGT Rally Point is when RP messages people with the AI program. I am not going to carte blanche answer such intrusive questions.

RP needs to create a flow chart:
- Does the poster know what SGT Rally Point is.
- Does the poster need help.
- If the poster does not need help then what?
- If the poster needs help then what?

To: MAJ Ken Landgren

Hello — earlier today you may have received some information from us on
mental health resources like the Veteran’s crisis line. We messaged earlier to follow-
up on whether you have used any of these resources. If you already replied to that
message, great. If not, could you help us out by responding to these questions?

1. Have you used any mental health resources today?
2. If so, what did you use? Some options include:
a. Called or texted the Veteran’s crisis line
b. Set up an appointment with / talked to my therapist
c. Took steps to start therapy (e.g., through the VA)
d. Called 911
e. Something else

Your feedback will help us bring the right resources to future veterans. Thanks in advance for
your response.

Response by SPC Michael Budzinski made Jan 6 at 2024 5:09 PM

SPC Michael Budzinski — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 17:09:12 -0500

The biggest problem is the VA doesn’t have enough professionals in Mental Health and even less qualified. The VA is known for hiring the bottom of the barrel too. Even worse there’s no testing or renewal of degrees. People memorize for testing and walk out a mental health professional. Residents are another problem. If lucky to find someone to connect with, spill your guts and must start over 8 months later when they move on..Must advocate for 50% more permanent positions in this field and must make easier to change doctors so comfortable with.

I can spend a week writing on this subject and how ruined my life. Biggest problem is when they receive their Federal Union ID Cards they think become Gods. It’s almost impossible to lose their job no matter how incompetent. Can steal, do drugs on the job and get time off paid for seeking help. Imagine your mental health provider in these shoes.

Over half of the veterans within the VA system are over 65 and will start to see a major decline of veterans receiving care. Should immediately abolish the VA Hospitals and add to the Medicare system. Already took away free healthcare for most.

Just went to a psychiatrist appointment Tuesday and a giant clusterf**k.

Response by Cpl Tammy Hooper made Jan 7 at 2024 6:32 AM

Cpl Tammy Hooper — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 06:32:17 -0500

Thanks for the effort.