New Gaming Technology Uses Virtual Humans to Help Veterans and Service Members Learn to Support One Another “Video Game for Good” Focuses on Active Members and More Than 2.7 Million Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan Wars For Immediate Release: October 15, 2014, 12:01 AM Contact: Herb Schaffner, Big Fish Media, herb@bigfishleap (973) 771-5881 Laura Schenone, laura@bigfishleap (973) 771-5881, Lynn Davis, Kognito, lynn@kognito, (212) 675-9234. Watch trailer here: youtu.be/SFqwquHoSb8 A new online and mobile app is being released today to help U.S. veterans and service members learn what to say and do when a peer is struggling with post-deployment stresses and adjustment to civilian life. Through interactive role-plays with 3D virtual humans the user prepares to have real-life conversations that will motivate a friend to access help if needed, build resilience, and lead a healthier life. The app is available for free online at JoinTogetherStrong and at ITunes and Google Play Store. A version in Spanish will be released in November. Together Strong was developed by the Veterans Affairs of NY/NJ Healthcare Network and Kognito and received extensive input from veterans and military personnel. Starting today, dozens of military, veterans, and nonprofit groups in the NY/NJ area and nationally will be performing outreach through social media, local press, and Internet groups. The goal is to get hundreds of thousands of veterans and soldiers to download and use the app. “We are thrilled to make Together Strong available for our veterans and service members,” said Ann Feder, LCSW, Mental Health Programs Manager at the Veterans Affairs NY/NJ Healthcare Network. “It’s engaging, easy to use, and the conversations are very real. We wanted veterans to have access to this tool because we know peer support works.” Kognito —a 10-year-old Manhattan-based company— creates immersive learning experiences that combine principles of neuroscience with gaming technologies to address a broad range of health, behavioral health, and social topics, from chronic disease and childhood obesity, to emotional wellbeing. Several empirical studies have shown that Kognito simulations achieve real and lasting changes in attitude, skills, and behaviors. The virtual humans in Together Strong are coded to reflect individual personalities, memories, and emotions that make their responses highly realistic. This highly interactive simulation provides hands-on practice and personalized feedback; it’s not a web page. “A conversation can be a powerful tool in making a difference in someone’s life,” said Ron Goldman, Kognito’s co-founder and CEO. “Our virtual environments offer a safe place to practice in privacy, allowing the user to go at his or her own pace, try different approaches, learn skills, and develop confidence to effectively manage similar conversations in real life.” Together Strong addresses a range of challenges faced by those who have served. In addition to much-publicized high rates of PTSD, traumatic brain injury and suicide, the post-deployment experience is often one of isolation, lack of purpose, stigma, difficulties relating to nonmilitary people, academic failure after years away from school, problems with relationships and keeping a job. According to the Pew Research Center, 61% of veterans report having difficulty with re-entry, and 48% said that their service had a negative impact on their marriage. One in five of Gulf War II-era veterans ages 18 to 24 were unemployed in 2012 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics); and only 23% to 40% of those who screened positive for a mental health disorder went on to receive professional help (New England Journal of Medicine). “Together Strong builds on Kognito’s research-proven Family of Heroes, which was designed for military families,” said Kognito co-founder and Director of Research Glenn Albright, Ph.D. “A randomized controlled study of Family of Heroes found a 46 percent increase in the number of military family members who spoke with their veterans about accessing help after they had completed the program. Compared to the control group, twice as many veterans (22% vs. 11%) of those approached by their family actually followed through and sought help showing a real and meaningful change in health behaviors resulting from this simulation.” Family of Heroes was also the result of a collaboration between the Veterans Affairs of NY/NJ and Kognito. Kognito is a leader in immersive learning experiences that drive positive changes in health behaviors. Kognito’s award-winning online and mobile simulations utilize virtual humans to prepare individuals and professionals to effectively manage challenging conversations about health, behavioral health, and social issues. Kognito currently has more than 450 clients in education, government and healthcare settings. To date, Kognito has addressed topics ranging from chronic disease, childhood obesity, childhood development, mental health, PTSD, veteran resilience, underage drinking, and LGBTQ bullying. Kognito has been recognized for its research-proven programs, and is the only company with digital simulations listed in the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP). Learn more and access demos at kognito. Sample Story Angles: • Download Free Interactive App Developed with Extensive Input from Veterans and Service Members • App Helps Vets Practice Effective Conversations When a Buddy Needs Help • Video Gaming Technology Deployed for a Good Cause: Helping Military Personnel and Vets Talk to Each Other About Tough Issues • New York’s Kognito Proving Practice Makes for Effective Conversations on Health Issues • The Science Behind Changing Health Behaviors Through Conversations Available Upon Request: Graphics, video, and interviews with service members, veterans, Kognito staff, and experts.
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 13:51:21 +0000