Government
The growing need for mental health services within the military, the stigma associated with receiving care for the invisible wounds of war (e.g., post-traumatic stress), and the challenges the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) faces in assisting a common population at different life stages, has necessitated a strategic effort to develop interactive distance learning (web-based) training programs. These programs will provide the needed support for veterans who may have mental or behavioral health concerns. In addition, the online courses promote prevention efforts and target users who need the services but face barriers to receiving them in the current systems of care.
Such guided self-help programs have the potential to reach individuals who might not otherwise have access to traditional mental health services. One of the newest products to support these individuals is an interactive web-based course called Anger and Irritability Management Skills (AIMS). The goal of the AIMS course is to assist veterans and servicemembers to better understand their strengths and weaknesses, define anger trigger points, identify goals, and formulate personal plans that can be implemented to confidently identify and manage demanding anger situations. Users can remotely access the course at a time and location of their choosing, thus reducing stigma and overcoming the barriers users experienced when receiving these services in the current system.
Accessible design was considered throughout the development process of the AIMS course. The result is a media rich, interactive course. The development team provided their ideas for activities to a group of VA Section 508 experts early in the design process and developed a strong collaborative working relationship throughout the lifespan of the project.
The goal of the VA’s distance learning initiative and the AIMS course is to reach the many veterans and servicemembers who are in need of anger/irritability management strategies in order to address their life challenges. That said, since the AIMS course was launched early in January 2015, it has recorded more than 85,500 unique visitors.
The VA Veterans Training center (www.veterantraining.va.gov) offers a trio of free and confidential online training courses created specifically to equip servicemembers and veterans with practical skills and tools they can use daily. These interactive courses feature real veterans and military families who share their stories and offer lessons learned. The VA Veterans Training center intends to continue to build courseware that will make it a robust source of knowledge.
AIMS course: http://www.veterantraining.va.gov/apps/aims/index.htmlAIMS course promotional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTqkU77I5Hk#sthash.n0iJxFkc.dpuf
