On Veterans Day 2023, ReflexAI launched HomeTeam, the innovative training tool designed specifically for the Veteran community. HomeTeam’s goal is to enable any Veteran to support another Veteran experiencing a mental health challenge. The need is urgent and clear: every day, 17 Veterans die by suicide. Moreover, Veterans are 50% more likely to die by suicide than non-Veterans.
One year later, HomeTeam engaged veterans from over 40 states and across all military branches. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with participants highlighting the tool’s unique combination of tactical training modules and dynamic practice simulations. With support from Google.org, HomeTeam has been free since Day 1 and will continue to be accessible at no cost to participants.
As we celebrate Veterans Day 2024, I would like to provide six reflections from the first year of HomeTeam.
1. Veterans show a clear commitment to supporting each other.
Before developing HomeTeam, we engaged with over 500 Veterans. This process yielded the key insight behind HomeTeam: 92% of Veterans are open to supporting (or being supported by) another Veteran struggling with a mental health challenge, but only 25% feel prepared to do so. We heard from hundreds of Veterans that they wanted to be part of the solution to the public health crisis of Veteran suicide – which has been a VA priority since as early as 1956 – but didn’t know where to start.
2. The Veteran community values tools developed specifically for Veterans.
As we began the year-long process of building HomeTeam, we continued to collaborate with Veterans for feedback on the emerging tool’s strengths and weaknesses. We repeatedly heard that HomeTeam was at its best when the tool spoke directly to the unique experiences of Veterans, such as the incomparable experience of transitioning back into civilian life. The dynamic simulations also needed to reflect the Veteran experience, which required significant refinement over many months.
3. Veterans deserve tools that incorporate the most innovative technologies.
ReflexAI is fortunate to draw from seven years of experience with generative AI when we launch tools for partners across the country. In our work with the Veteran community, we were guided by a conviction that the Veteran community deserved tools that incorporated leading technology. This month, HomeTeam launches a new feature called “Practice a Key Moment,” powered with the latest Google Gemini models. Within mental health conversations, there are key moments in building connection and improving long-term outcomes. This new feature targets those moments for further practice and skill-building.
4. The right foundation is critical for responsible technology.
I’m grateful that we invested the time and resources needed for HomeTeam to meet our high bar for responsible technology. Every product decision made at ReflexAI includes a fundamental question: What would we decide if our family and friends were engaging with our tools? For HomeTeam, this meant that every part of the tool underwent clinical review. It also meant a commitment to not using participant data to train the tool’s AI models.
5. Veteran suicide prevention is a team sport.
It is a testament to communities nationwide that so many organizations are dedicated to supporting Veterans. When we launched HomeTeam, we hoped that Veterans would engage with the tool individually, but we also aspired to provide a resource for other organizations. In the past year, many organizations have incorporated HomeTeam into their mission-driven work. For example, Sound Off – which provides anonymous peer support services to Veterans – integrated HomeTeam as core training for new volunteers.
6. The need to tackle Veteran suicide has not waned.
While we pause to celebrate Veterans Day only once per year, it’s vital to recognize the role of our Veterans year-round. For ReflexAI, HomeTeam is part of our commitment to the nation’s 18 million Veterans. We continue to engage with Veterans who, after learning about HomeTeam, express the need for this tool within their individual networks. It’s become clear that this tool is not just a resource but a testament to the resilience and camaraderie of Veterans nationwide. HomeTeam’s success underscores that when we equip Veterans with the right tools and training, we empower them to make a meaningful difference in each other’s lives.
This Veterans Day, we honor the service and dedication of Veterans and renew our commitment to reaching even more Veterans in the year ahead. Together with our community and partners, we look forward to building on this momentum, driven by the conviction that every Veteran deserves access to the support, tools, and community they need to thrive.