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 1 y ago
Responses: 23
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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.
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.
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CPT David Gowel
I couldn't agree more and thank you for your comment, SFC Casey O'Mally. SSG Carlos Madden, I also thank you for your continued leadership on such a critically important issue to the military, veteran, family, and caregiver community.
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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.
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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~~ !!
~~ GLORY BE I'M CURED~~ !!
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
How to apply for VA health care | Veterans Affairs
Find out how to apply for VA health care benefits as a Veteran or service member.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
PO2 James Morton -
UPDATE ~~ LMFAO ~~~
Yer Gonna LOVE This One:. Not Long The Phone Rang; It Was Someone At Our North Las Vegas VA ~~ LMAO~~ "We're Just Calling To Ask How You Are & If There's Anything We Can Do For You". ~ I Replied, Somewhat In Shock;, As I've NEVER Received A Call Like This From Anyone At The VA " Like What"? He States, "You Know, How Are You Feeling And Do You Need To Reorder Any Of Your Prescriptions"? I Simply Replied, "I'm Fine And If You Only Called To Find Out How I'm Doing, Great; But If You Wanted To Know Anything About My Prescriptions, All You Need To Have Done Is Check With The Pharmacy, In The Building Where You're Calling From; But Thanks For Calling.;This Makes The 1st Time In 30 Years, This Has Happened". And That Was "IT"....
Damned Near A Miracle, Right Before My Eyes...~
".....And Brother, I Ain't Heard Nothin' Sense"... LMAO and WTF?
UPDATE ~~ LMFAO ~~~
Yer Gonna LOVE This One:. Not Long The Phone Rang; It Was Someone At Our North Las Vegas VA ~~ LMAO~~ "We're Just Calling To Ask How You Are & If There's Anything We Can Do For You". ~ I Replied, Somewhat In Shock;, As I've NEVER Received A Call Like This From Anyone At The VA " Like What"? He States, "You Know, How Are You Feeling And Do You Need To Reorder Any Of Your Prescriptions"? I Simply Replied, "I'm Fine And If You Only Called To Find Out How I'm Doing, Great; But If You Wanted To Know Anything About My Prescriptions, All You Need To Have Done Is Check With The Pharmacy, In The Building Where You're Calling From; But Thanks For Calling.;This Makes The 1st Time In 30 Years, This Has Happened". And That Was "IT"....
Damned Near A Miracle, Right Before My Eyes...~
".....And Brother, I Ain't Heard Nothin' Sense"... LMAO and WTF?
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PO2 James Morton
A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney - i used to get my shoes from a local store through the VA and never paid a dime for them 2 pair a year. But the place is closed and no new location and Tri-West has no new contacts in the area so I have had to resort to buying my own again. When i was working I would go through 2 pair a year but since I retired one pair lasts me about a year if they are good shoes
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
PO2 James Morton -
My Brother Mike, Recently Deceased, Lived In Centerville, Ohio.
And That's Where I'd Learned About The Shoes... And He Got Them From The Dayton VA
As Can Any Vet, Even If We Live In Other States. . Read The Following Document Because You May Very Well Need It To Show Your VA, Because Most Of Them Only Repeat The Mis-Information They've Been Told.:
~~~
Just Kept Doing Research,
And This Is What Showed Up~~
Sent: 11/25/2023 9:52:08 PM Pacific Standard Time
Subject: Is A Military Veteran Entitled To Care And Supplies, Through ANY Va Facility, Regardless Of Where He Resides?
"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.
(The Rest Of The Info Is, For The Most Part, Regarding Vets Living Overseas ~~
~~ Being Enrolled With The VA, Etc... But I'm Including What I Received)
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.
I hope this helps!
My Brother Mike, Recently Deceased, Lived In Centerville, Ohio.
And That's Where I'd Learned About The Shoes... And He Got Them From The Dayton VA
As Can Any Vet, Even If We Live In Other States. . Read The Following Document Because You May Very Well Need It To Show Your VA, Because Most Of Them Only Repeat The Mis-Information They've Been Told.:
~~~
Just Kept Doing Research,
And This Is What Showed Up~~
Sent: 11/25/2023 9:52:08 PM Pacific Standard Time
Subject: Is A Military Veteran Entitled To Care And Supplies, Through ANY Va Facility, Regardless Of Where He Resides?
"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.
(The Rest Of The Info Is, For The Most Part, Regarding Vets Living Overseas ~~
~~ Being Enrolled With The VA, Etc... But I'm Including What I Received)
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.
I hope this helps!
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