Being Human: A Personalized Approach to Veteran’s Mental Health

Presentation Type

Poster

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Twenty-two veterans commit suicide a day;[i] that number does not include attempted or failed suicides. This research explores the use of avatars to provide confidentiality and anonymity for veterans to express their emotions in real-time and in a safe environment. Early interventions for suicide prevention are lacking and as a result the United States developed a reactive approach to suicide prevention. There is an emergence of high suicide among veterans who feel isolated and feel unable to develop interpersonal relationships. However, with the use of avatars, veterans can learn to be “thoughtfully expressive” and develop skills to express a “proportionate response” with interpersonal relationships, conflict resolution and self-regulation. There are three main problems that affect veterans concerning receiving treatment using Veteran's Administration (VA) health care services - Eligibility: Not all veterans are eligible for services; Enrollment: Not all eligible veterans enroll in VA services; Use: Not all enrolled veterans actually use the services.[ii] Using an avatar a veteran can proactively receive confidential mental health help; especially when they are unable or unwilling to use the VA medical services.

REFERENCES

[i] J. Kemp, and R. Bossarte, Suicide Data Report 2012, http://www.va.gov/opa/docs/suicide-data-report-2012-final.pdf

[ii] Bagalman E. Suicide Prevention Efforts of the Veterans Health Administration Congressional Research Service

(US); 2012 Feb. Report No.:R42340.

KEYWORDS

Veteran, Suicide Prevention, Mental Health, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Virtual Environment, Virtual Reality, Video Games

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Being Human: A Personalized Approach to Veteran’s Mental Health

ABSTRACT

Twenty-two veterans commit suicide a day;[i] that number does not include attempted or failed suicides. This research explores the use of avatars to provide confidentiality and anonymity for veterans to express their emotions in real-time and in a safe environment. Early interventions for suicide prevention are lacking and as a result the United States developed a reactive approach to suicide prevention. There is an emergence of high suicide among veterans who feel isolated and feel unable to develop interpersonal relationships. However, with the use of avatars, veterans can learn to be “thoughtfully expressive” and develop skills to express a “proportionate response” with interpersonal relationships, conflict resolution and self-regulation. There are three main problems that affect veterans concerning receiving treatment using Veteran's Administration (VA) health care services - Eligibility: Not all veterans are eligible for services; Enrollment: Not all eligible veterans enroll in VA services; Use: Not all enrolled veterans actually use the services.[ii] Using an avatar a veteran can proactively receive confidential mental health help; especially when they are unable or unwilling to use the VA medical services.

REFERENCES

[i] J. Kemp, and R. Bossarte, Suicide Data Report 2012, http://www.va.gov/opa/docs/suicide-data-report-2012-final.pdf

[ii] Bagalman E. Suicide Prevention Efforts of the Veterans Health Administration Congressional Research Service

(US); 2012 Feb. Report No.:R42340.

KEYWORDS

Veteran, Suicide Prevention, Mental Health, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Virtual Environment, Virtual Reality, Video Games