Ins and Outs of Mental Health Apps

Hi and welcome if you’ve made it this far! My sixth week has been marked by continued engagement with veterans at the Veterans Affairs (VA) residential center, as I strive to introduce them to the benefits of utilizing various apps tailored to support their rehabilitation journey.

I went back to the VA today to check in with those I presented to last week, and to my surprise, there were suddenly many new faces at the residential center. This presented a fresh opportunity for me to reintroduce myself and offer demos to these individuals, ensuring that they too have access to the resources available through our project.

Reflecting on my interactions with veterans so far, I’m excited to provide updates on their engagement with the apps:

V3 has shown continued interest in the Mindfulness app, recognizing its value in supporting his well-being. Despite the limited time available for exploration, he plans to continue using the app at home after discharge, highlighting its potential for long-term utilization.

V5, unfortunately, still faces challenges in accessing the apps fully due to the lack of a tablet. As a senior veteran, the functionality of the apps on his phone is restricted, underscoring the importance of addressing accessibility barriers to ensure equitable access to these resources for all veterans.

In addition to ongoing engagements with familiar faces, I’ve been welcoming new sign-ups this week:

V8 expressed keen interest in multiple apps, including Insomnia Coach, Mindfulness Coach, and PTSD Coach. As a younger veteran, he was enthusiastic about leveraging digital tools to support his rehabilitation journey, downloading all three apps to explore their features further.

Similarly, V9 showed excitement about the diverse tools offered by the Mindfulness and PTSD Coach apps, downloading both to begin integrating them into her daily routine.

Analyzing this offers insight into the diverse preferences and needs of veterans in their rehabilitation journey. It highlights the importance of offering a range of app options to accommodate varying circumstances, from accessibility concerns to individual interests. By understanding how veterans interact with these resources, we can tailor our interventions more effectively to meet their specific needs, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of addiction rehabilitation programs.

As I continue to engage with veterans and collect data, I’m excited to uncover more that will inform evidence-based practices and contribute to the ongoing improvement of veteran care.