The Department of Veterans Affairs announced 10 winners of its $20 million Mission Daybreak challenge to reduce veteran suicides.
The challenge was launched in 2022 and saw 1,300 app, algorithm, gaming, virtual reality and other program concepts submitted, the department said Feb. 16. The challenge is part of a 10-year public health strategy to end veteran suicide.
First-place winners Stop Soldier Suicide and Televeda will get $3 million apiece, second-place winners ReflexAI, Sentinel and Battle Buddy won $1 million each, and third-place winners Even Health, NeuroFlow, Overwatch Project, OxfordVR and Team Guidehouse won $500,000 apiece, the department said.
Details on each winning project:
Stop Soldier Suicide’s Black Box Project seeks to accelerate precision methodologies in suicide prevention by identifying and analyzing data from the digital devices of veterans who died by suicide in order to develop machine-learning models that can identify previously unknown risk patterns and pair them with evidence-based, suicide-specific intervention services.
Televeda’s Project Hózhó is the first mental health app for American Indian and Alaska Native populations. The app, and comprehensive operational plan, were designed in partnership with veteran communities for Navajo Veterans. Project Hózhó incorporates traditional healing practices – like storytelling and talking-circle interventions – and improved access to VA resources to reduce AIAN veteran suicide rates.
ReflexAI is an artificial intelligence-powered tool based on a three-pronged approach of simulation, feedback and quality assurance that can help the Veterans Crisis Line train and maintain a team of responders.
Sentinel is a safe storage of firearms mobile app that integrates smart firearm and medication-locking devices with a learning and community support network.
Battle Buddy, a partnership between the USC Institute for Creative Technologies and the SoldierStrong Foundation, is a virtual human-led mental health-and-wellness application that promotes resiliency among veterans at risk for suicide. It uses interactive, conversational AI and content from VA’s Suicide Safety Planning program for brief daily check-ins. The app will also connect with wearable sensors to leverage sleep, exercise and other health signals.
Even Health’s Cabana is a virtual reality-based group support platform for veterans who have survived suicide attempts. It adapts an established support group model shown to reduce suicide incidence and increases resilience and sense of belonging.
NeuroFlow is a two-sided technology platform providing virtual and in-person support for veterans with tailored resources and digital care 24/7. It will measure their evolving behavioral health needs to inform care teams of potential crises before they happen.
Overwatch Project is a peer-based intervention program that includes training, community engagement and communications initiatives crafted in an authentic veteran voice and tone. The goal is to empower veterans to intervene with at-risk buddies, offering to temporarily hold onto their guns or take protective storage measures. It is an initiative modeled after the “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk” campaign by the nonprofit FORGE.
OxfordVR’s gameChange, a digital therapeutic using virtual reality that has received Food and Drug Administration Breakthrough Device designation, treats severe social isolation common to PTSD, psychosis and severe depression. It's an immersive and scalable opportunity to treat veterans where they are before a crisis moment.
Team Guidehouse has a data platform that integrates both social determinants of health and social media data into the health record. It uses an external dashboard to identify veterans at risk, in real time, and provides actionable insights for suicide prevention. Team Guidehouse is a partnership between Red Hat and Philip Held of Rush University Medical Center.