Posted on Nov 20, 2023
How RallyPoint is tackling mental health, and where we can use your help
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[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] .
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] .
Posted in these groups: 
Mental Health
Suicide
Mental Health Suicide
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 20
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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.
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PO2 Stephen Cline
A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney - I had contacted the VA through it website more than one. I had contacted the North Texas VA healthcare System. I had contacted everyone I could think of or find. The only response I ever got was right here on rallypoint. The responses everyone got from the VA were excuses and outright BS. The VA immediately closed down replies.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
PO2 Stephen Cline -
I Could Tell You Horror Stories About Out Vegas VA...
I've Even Had A Couple Of The Doctors AT The VA Tell Me How Bad Things Are.
And A PA Told Me "We Have Problems Getting Good Doctors Out Here Because, For One Of Many Reasons, They Don't Want To Be Known As "VA Doctors".~That's The Reputation The VA Has Out Here.... I've Requested Investigations ~ Ya Know What I Hear Back? NOTHING ~ Not Even One Reply. It's As Though, Or It May Well BE; They Prefer To NOT Get Involved, It Only Creates More Problems, While Perhaps Solving None.
I Could Tell You Horror Stories About Out Vegas VA...
I've Even Had A Couple Of The Doctors AT The VA Tell Me How Bad Things Are.
And A PA Told Me "We Have Problems Getting Good Doctors Out Here Because, For One Of Many Reasons, They Don't Want To Be Known As "VA Doctors".~That's The Reputation The VA Has Out Here.... I've Requested Investigations ~ Ya Know What I Hear Back? NOTHING ~ Not Even One Reply. It's As Though, Or It May Well BE; They Prefer To NOT Get Involved, It Only Creates More Problems, While Perhaps Solving None.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
PO2 Stephen Cline -
HERE I Go Again ~LOL ~ I Have Needed Them ~ Las Vegas, NV
, As Has My Brother In OHIO
~~ VA Washington. DC Hot Line ~~
If You're Having Issues With Your Local VA
Which Can NOT Be Taken Care Of Locally,
Contact The:
VA Customer Service In WASHINGTON, DC
1 - [login to see]
HERE I Go Again ~LOL ~ I Have Needed Them ~ Las Vegas, NV
, As Has My Brother In OHIO
~~ VA Washington. DC Hot Line ~~
If You're Having Issues With Your Local VA
Which Can NOT Be Taken Care Of Locally,
Contact The:
VA Customer Service In WASHINGTON, DC
1 - [login to see]
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PO2 Stephen Cline
It's been over a year since they let me back in the building. It's like I've never been there before. So far all they've done is blood tests. Haven't seen any of the specialists I was seeing before. I started seeing an outside Cardiologist before they let me back in. I got devastating news from him. The main artery that provides oxygenated blood to my heart is completely blocked. My heart function is 15 percent. Surgery to poke through the blockage or remove the stints is likely to kill me. I'm taking an enzyme known to dissolve arterial plague. Nattokinase. Been taking that for about 6 months now. Don't know if that is helping or not. I see my cardiologist in November. I too have horror stories about my local VAMC.
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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!.
. ~~ 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!.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
I Sent This To Many Other Vets & Tell Every Vet I Know, In Here & Everywhere:
There Is A Special Place We Can Call:
It's The " VA CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE
In Washington DC .... [login to see] .
~ After OVER 20 YEARS I Found Them ~~ ACCIDENTALLY ~~
IF You're Having ANY Issues With Your Local VA, And They Can't Seem To Be Getting Solved Locally, CALL These People ~ ~ They DO Things & They Do Them NOW.
As Impossible As These Things May SOUND; I'm Telling You, They're 100% Absolutely TRUE.".......
This Is ONE MORE Piece Of Information,
I'll Bet Ya A 50, Even People At Your VA "NEVER HEARD Of"
So When You're Told "That Isn't True"... It's Probably Because THEY Did NOT Know.
So Don't Be Talked Out Of It ~~ Dial The Number... [login to see] 1
There Is A Special Place We Can Call:
It's The " VA CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE
In Washington DC .... [login to see] .
~ After OVER 20 YEARS I Found Them ~~ ACCIDENTALLY ~~
IF You're Having ANY Issues With Your Local VA, And They Can't Seem To Be Getting Solved Locally, CALL These People ~ ~ They DO Things & They Do Them NOW.
As Impossible As These Things May SOUND; I'm Telling You, They're 100% Absolutely TRUE.".......
This Is ONE MORE Piece Of Information,
I'll Bet Ya A 50, Even People At Your VA "NEVER HEARD Of"
So When You're Told "That Isn't True"... It's Probably Because THEY Did NOT Know.
So Don't Be Talked Out Of It ~~ Dial The Number... [login to see] 1
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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.
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.
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Interesting that we have a handgun ad next to mental health article when gun availability is leading source of suicide. Insensitive.
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SGT Bill Christian
Really? Handguns...not the insane amount of drugs prescribed by va personnel or the ridiculous lengths of wait times to get in to talk to a MH PRO just so in 1-6 months they are rotated out or the like my last "therapist" as we finally got into some the dark shit got up and quit in the middle of the session. But let's blame the scary inanimate tool. Don't believe all the hype man, and im not trying to hammer you. My 4 attempts before were 1 walking into traffic(I95 rush hour) 2alchohol and pills 1 deciding which tree to shake hands with a 120+ on my bike. Of the 15 Brothers I've lost since coming home not 1 was by firearm of any type.
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CPT Richard Carmody
SGT Bill Christian Dear Bill - Thanks for your observations and offering us a slice of your real life struggles. I am glad that you are still with us, and I hope that you are getting the help you deserve.
My comment was based on the reported fact that more than half of all suicides in 2022 involved a gun.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/30/health/suicide-guns-cdc.html
That’s not to belittle the use of opioids or other means. In fact, I have had two friends hang themselves.
Best of luck in your journey.
Richard
My comment was based on the reported fact that more than half of all suicides in 2022 involved a gun.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/30/health/suicide-guns-cdc.html
That’s not to belittle the use of opioids or other means. In fact, I have had two friends hang themselves.
Best of luck in your journey.
Richard
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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!
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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).
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).
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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.
Respectfully.
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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.
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SSG Carlos Madden
Hi Carl,
I'm sorry to hear about that but there are ways to get you some help. We encourage you to check out this page to get connected to professional online support & in-person resources near you.
https://www.rallypoint.com/emergency-support
I'm sorry to hear about that but there are ways to get you some help. We encourage you to check out this page to get connected to professional online support & in-person resources near you.
https://www.rallypoint.com/emergency-support
RallyPoint - The Military Network
Find service members and veterans like you, discuss military life, and share professional opportunities on the largest military network.
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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!
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!
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