Ep. 4 - Suicide Prevention Awareness

And I think it's important to note that, you know, our department, Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, we have our current National Guard arm of that and we have our veteran outreach part of that.

You guys work together all the time.

And I doubt that a lot of people realize that.

They don't work in silos.

I've been a part of meetings where these two guys are both on them.

And I think that's an important note.

You guys work very closely together, your programs.

And I think that may be not new and novel, but how we do it is changing and evolving, I think, with technology as well as different ethos.

I think when General Pippie was on here talking about the one fight, one team model, to truly embody that, to be in rooms together and learn how to coordinate together and things like that.

Because it can be very easy when you're side by side, but we cover the entire Commonwealth.

You know, Major Ring is responsible for soldiers and airmen all across the Commonwealth.

And we're looking to talk to all of the veterans and their families across the Commonwealth as best as we can.

So we're on the road.

We're, you know, road warriors out there fighting the fight.

And how do we then connect with each other, you know, with a finite amount of time and finite amount of personnel as well?

And one thing I do want to touch on is there's some interesting new things that are always coming out in this realm.

And you guys are on the cutting edge of those.

Major Ring, not to get into too many details just yet, but I know that you guys are always looking at new technology, new systems, new practices.

Tell me a little bit about how you're staying on the cutting edge of really understanding what's going on within the force and getting the communication started.

Sure.

Yes.

Well, for one, our facilitators, our trainers are always evolving and looking for new and unique ways to connect with the service members through interactive conversations.

And secondly, the technology piece.

We're currently in the acquisition process of acquiring some VR headsets, your Oculus things that you can put on your head and immerse yourself into some kind of environment.

So we're looking to procure some headsets that will enhance our suicide prevention trainings.