Military Pathways® is a program of Screening for Mental, Inc

1. Hosting a Successful Awareness EventA Guide for PTSD Screening Day 2013Paul Heithaus, MSWMilitary Pathways Program ManagerChristine Leccese, MPHMilitary Pathways Marketing and Communications ManagerJulia Hoffman, PsyDClinical PsychologistMental Health Mobile Apps Lead National Center for PTSD Military Pathways® is a program of Screening for Mental, Inc Funded by the Department of Defense with support from the National Center for Telehealth & Technology (T2) military@mentalheatlhscreening.org (p)781-239-0071

2. The Military Pathways PTSD program is a DoD sponsored initiative designed to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Military Pathways is a mental health education and self-assessment program for service personnel and family members of all branches of the military, including the Guard and Reserve. Participation in the self-assessments/screenings is intended to be voluntary and completely anonymous www.MindBodyStrength.org Military Pathways is funded by the Department of Defense with support from the National Center for Telehealth and Technology

3. Background • NDSD • 2010 Congress declared June 27 PTSD Awareness Day • National Center for PTSD continues to recognize June 27 • 30% of Military Pathways self-assessments are for PTSD

4. Why Are Awareness Events Important? Increased occurrences of mental health related incidents Early detection of mental health issues greatly enhances treatment Reduce stigma Encourage online self-assessment Encourage help seeking when needed Opportunity to provide referral information Provide Information in non-threatening environment

5. Tips to a Successful Event Familiarize staff with provided educational resources Take an online self-assessment at MindBodyStrength.org prior to event Visit the National Center for PTSD’s website and learn about their tools and resources Test the Mobile and web based tools

6. What to Do Before Your Event

7. Scheduling Event • PTSD Screening Day is June 20, however: • June 27 is PTSD Awareness Day. • Conduct your event at your convenience. It is recommended that installations host their events earlier rather than later, as military schedules often force drastic changes as specific situations dictate. • Host your event in conjunction with an existing health fair, or other well attended activity such as a fun run, or re-integration training. • Choose a date and time when there will plenty of foot traffic. • Create a contingency plan.

8. Work with your PAO Contact him/her as early as possible. Make your pitch local and focus on what is happening at your installation. Highlight local problems. Is there a base marquee? Newspaper? Movie theater?

9. Kit Contents Educational Kit Cover letter Tips for Use Guide Clinician Cards Magnets Wallet cards Posters PTSD Coach Cards Mood Tracker Cards Banner Educational Brochures Flyers T-Shirts and Tote Bags ADKC DVD & Workbooks Promo Kit • Cover letter • Banner • Magnets • Wallet cards • Posters • PTSD Coach Cards • Mood Tracker Cards • Press Release • T-Shirts and Tote Bags

10. What to Do Day of Event

11. Best Practices • Send out reminder e-mails to installation contacts • Touch base with PAO • Arrive at site(s) early to ensure everything you need is in place • Stock up on water

12. Set Up Set up your space with maximum visibility Use several tables if possible Ensure support staff is in place and understand their individual roles Include an interactive activity to draw passersby to your area

13. Attracting People to Your Table Use the banner & make it visible Giveaway items (T shirts & tote bags) Candy Encouraging attendees to “tell a friend”

14. Referrals A list of military and community based mental health providers and resources should be prepared prior to the screening and made available to all participants. This list should include phone numbers, addresses, fee schedules, accepted insurance plans, as well as services and hours. If possible, administrative staff should contact the providers in advance to be certain they are available for follow-up evaluations and interventions.

15. Promoting Your Event

16. Using Social Media Many different ways to reach people. Social media can serve the dual purpose of getting people to your event and to provide the screening link. Many will never show up at your table, and social media is good way to reach that population, too. Give them the opportunity to take a screening and get educational info.

17. Sample Social Media Posts • Military Pathways will provide you with social media posts. Some link to screenings, some to educational material. • Social media posts can also link to educational materials such as PTSD infographic (on right). • Use the PTSD hash tag #PTSD on Twitter • Take advantage of the social media posts on www.MilitaryPathways.org

18. Encourage Screenings via Email Educational message landing in your community’s inbox. Users get results in the privacy of their home. You can provide referrals in a private, non-threatening way. Sample emails coming your way!

19. Best Practices Encourage staff to show up in civilian clothing-anonymity Giveaways Get unit chaplains and other spiritual leaders involved Pre-event publicity

20. Best Practices Make your event family-friendly; choose hours that accommodate all shifts and schedules Show the DVD “A Different Kind of Courage” throughout the event Have everyone walk away with a referral sheet and/or wallet card

21. Some Important Reminders Notify your security staff well in advance to ensure that they are available in case of an emergency. Notify your nearest hospital or crisis center in advance about your event. Liability should be addressed in the welcome letter given to each participant upon arrival.

22. Some Important Reminders It is important to convey to service members and their families that the PTSD program is a public education program and that the online screenings are informational and not diagnostic. The screenings are conducted anonymously. Diagnoses, treatment recommendations and second opinions are not provided.

23. Lessons Learned Multiple events = Greater reach Ensure behavioral health involvement Military Pathways can help during all stages of planning and implementation…contact us!!

24. MindBodyStrength.org: Using the Online Screenings

25. Referral and Recommendations • The user will receive general instructions and a variety of resources: • Learn more about the disorder • Symptom management • Self Care • Referral information for Branch specific behavioral health services • Information for Tricare, Military One Source, etc.

26. VA Mobile Applications for Mental Health Julia Hoffman, Psy.D. Mobile Apps Lead | Clinical Psychologist National Center for PTSD (VA) Faculty Affiliate National Center for Telehealth & Technology (DoD)

27. Problem Statement(Barriers and Needs)

28. Mobile Applications as a Solution? • The recent emergence and pervasiveness of mobile devices has led to innovations in clinical care that address some of these challenges.

29. Applicable Characteristics of Mobile Technology

30. Mobile App Target Users Concerned Significant Others Veterans & Service Members VA Patients Children Adults Patients Enrolled in Evidence-Based Psychotherapies Care-givers Healthcare Providers VA Providers Community Providers

31. The PTSD Coach Timeline

32. PTSD Coach

33. PTSD Coach Screenshots

34. Tool Examples

35. Metrics of Success: Reach • Increased usage of Veterans Crisis Line • Versioning for Canada, Israel, Australia and for inner-city violence and cancer • 2011 Winner FCC Chairman’s Award for Advancements in Accessibility • 2012 Winner ATA President’s Innovation Award • 2011 Nextgov.com Best Government App • 2011 Yahoo’s Top 10 Health Apps

36. Evaluation of PTSD Coach(Kuhn et al, in submission) • Purpose: Feasibility, acceptability, perceived helpfulness • Sample: 54 PTSD Residential Patients • 40 men, 12 women • Age ranges from 24-69 (mean of 45) • 48% white, 17% AA, and 15% Hispanic • Method • Patients used app over 3-days (weekend) • Post-use survey and focus group *% endorsed at “moderately” to “extremely helpful”

37. Mobile App Evaluation

38. Products for Veterans with PTSD Veterans & Service Members VA Patients Patients Enrolled in EBP

39. ACT Coach Anger Mgmt CBT-i Coach Concussion Coach CPT Coach Mindfulness Coach Mood Coach Moving Forward Parenting2Go PE Coach PFA Mobile PTSD Coach PTSD Explorer PTSD Explorer EMA PTSD Coach for Cancer PTSD Family Coach Safety Plan Self-Report App www.myvaapps.com SPR Stay Quit Coach mVetChange

40. Questions and AnswersWe will answer as many questions as we have time for. All other questions will be responded to be via e-mail. Additional questions may be e-mailed to military@mentalhealthscreening.org.

41. Questions? Julia E. Hoffman, Psy.D. julia.hoffman@va.gov http://www.ptsd.va.gov/ Email to be added to distribution list to try new apps.

42. For more information or to order Military Pathways free materials visit www.MilitaryMentalHealth.orgContacting Military Pathways:military@mentalhealthscreening.orgwww.militarymentalhealth.org/blogwww.facebook.com/MilitaryPathwayswww.Twitter.com/MilitaryPathway781-239-0071 Paul Heithaus, MSW Samantha Rogers Christine Leccese, MPH Program Manager Program Assistant Communications & Marketing Manager Military Pathways® is a program of Screening for Mental, Inc Funded by the Department of Defense with support from the National Center for Telehealth & Technology (T2) military@mentalhealthscreening.org (p)781-239-0071