Last updated 2024-09-24T18:05:01Z

Televeda: Hero's Story Project

The Hero’s Story facilitates culturally appropriate, evidence-based interventions and mental health resources, such as storytelling and talking-circles, through the Televeda virtual platform. The platform is designed to lower social isolation and promote overall health improvement by facilitating meaningful connections. Televeda works to address the complex contributing factors to suicide for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Veterans by matching them with appropriate social determinants of health resources (protective factors) to address health inequity.

Origin:

February 2023, Phoenix, AZ

Awards and Recognition:

Mission Daybreak Grand challenge winner

Partners:

Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning (OHIL), Office of Suicide Prevention (OSP)

Overview

Problem

The American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population serves in the Armed Forces at a rate 5 times higher than the national average. However, a unique history, background and culture for this population poses significant barriers to addressing mental health challenges, such as the higher rates of suicide amongst Veterans. Unfortunately, there is a histori ... The American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population serves in the Armed Forces at a rate 5 times higher than the national average. However, a unique history, background and culture for this population poses significant barriers to addressing mental health challenges, such as the higher rates of suicide amongst Veterans. Unfortunately, there is a historical lack of trust and limited access to care on the Reservation, and no existing solutions incorporate their preferred traditional practices in a culturally appropriate manner. See more

Links

Virtual Talking Circles to Prevent Suicide: Innovative App Seeks to Reach Native American Vets at Risk Military.com Article

The group aiming to stop ‘endemic’ suicide among Native American vets Military Times Article

In-person, virtual support groups now available to Navajo veterans Fierce Healthcare Article

The Gathering to Prevent Suicide Among American Indian & Alaska Native Service Members, Veterans, & their Families VA News Article

Solution

Televeda builds pathways to trust, increases access to care, and facilitates the delivery of traditional healing through its Virtual Talking Circle (VTC) application which is a novel reimagining of peer support & group therapy in a culturally competent interface. Suicide prevention is addressed in an upstream approach by fostering social connectedness and co ... Televeda builds pathways to trust, increases access to care, and facilitates the delivery of traditional healing through its Virtual Talking Circle (VTC) application which is a novel reimagining of peer support & group therapy in a culturally competent interface. Suicide prevention is addressed in an upstream approach by fostering social connectedness and community healing. See more

Results

In 2023, Televeda directly engaged 245 AIAN Veterans, whom would otherwise not have reached out for mental health services and connected 19 new Veterans into the VA system. Additionally, Televeda worked with the Arizona Department of Veteran Services in bringing digital literacy and internet connectivity to 4 tribes to improve access to VA benefits, with res ... In 2023, Televeda directly engaged 245 AIAN Veterans, whom would otherwise not have reached out for mental health services and connected 19 new Veterans into the VA system. Additionally, Televeda worked with the Arizona Department of Veteran Services in bringing digital literacy and internet connectivity to 4 tribes to improve access to VA benefits, with resources to combat mental-health stigma and homelessness. In 2024, Televeda launched a Talking Circles pilot with the Navajo Nation Veterans Administration concurrently with the launch of their VTC web-app on the Televeda platform. Since launch, Televeda has seen encouraging feedback from VTC users and in-person talking circle participants, and promising engagement from additional Veteran sub-populations, such as Women Veterans, with their VTC-based program offerings (e.g., Military Sexual Trauma support group). See more

Contact

Comment

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About

Original team

Shruti Gurudanti

Co-Founder

Mayank Mishra