Revolutionizing Veteran Outreach through the VA "Whole Health" Initiative

Through innovative technology and empathetic engagement strategies, we have forged a pathway toward a brighter and more inclusive future for veteran mental health care.

The primary goal was to develop a sophisticated web-based tool designed to enhance veteran participation in mental health treatments, in response to the alarming rates of veteran suicides.

Collaboration and Development

Working closely with three distinct entities, the team consistently met predefined benchmarks throughout all stages of the project. A standout achievement was the creation of a comprehensive 35-page survey, developed using the advanced capabilities of SurveyJS—a sophisticated JavaScript library designed for building and integrating complex surveys.

Survey Design and Implementation

Key Features of the Survey Tool

  • Matrix Questions: These questions, utilizing a Likert Scale, allowed respondents to evaluate multiple items using consistent response options to provide structured feedback.
  • Multiple Choice Questions: As a survey staple, these questions offered participants predefined answers to gauge preferences or opinions.
  • Short Answer Questions: Distributed throughout the survey, these questions collected concise, direct responses.
  • Long Composition Questions: For deeper insights, these questions enabled participants to elaborate on their thoughts, enriching the qualitative data collected.
  • Drawing Component: An innovative feature from SurveyJS, this allowed participants to visually express or illustrate their answers, capturing a broader range of responses.

Informational Marketing Website

In parallel to the survey tool, the team developed a bespoke informational marketing website. This site highlighted the benefits of the survey and the robust research behind our initiative, significantly enhancing outreach and engagement.

Design and Testing

Aesthetic and Functional Elements

The project’s design phase involved creating detailed mockups, with each element undergoing rigorous vetting by the VA’s Principal Investigator. A/B testing methodologies were employed to refine the user experience, optimizing the survey’s layout and functionality.

Security and Data Integrity

Given the sensitivity of veteran data, the project was hosted on AWS Gov Cloud, adhering to the stringent security requirements of VA Handbook 6500. This not only ensured operational excellence but also reinforced our commitment to data security.

User Testing and Engagement

To ensure the tool’s effectiveness and resonance with the target audience, the Project Team recruited veterans for user testing. Leveraging deep-rooted connections within the veteran community, we guaranteed authentic feedback by involving participants who held VA status.