Company Uses AI To Help Support Veteran, First Responder Mental Health

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Mental health continues to be a big conversation, especially with our first responders and veterans. 

"First responders and veterans both are real protective of sharing their stories," said Aaron Ashworth, a licensed professional counselor with Patriot Counseling, an Oklahoma practice dedicated to helping veterans and first responders. "They don't want to project that or influence in a negative way the people around them.” 

Ashworth says these groups can be less likely to speak up. 

"Just the culture of any time you're reaching out for help, that it is a sign of weakness," said Ashworth. "How do we reduce that gap across the state?" 

One national company, ClearForce, wants to do just that. Some of their research started here, at UCO. 

"We did some work in your backyard looking at veterans who had tragically died by suicide and then backwards looking at what were the indicators in their lives?" said Colonel Mike Hudson, Vice President of ClearForce and Marine Corps veteran. 

ClearForce aims to help outreach organizations using data collected and analyzed by artificial intelligence. 

"We're not predicting an outcome,” Col. Hudson said. “What we're doing is enabling and highlighting individuals who, tied to data, appear to be in a position of higher stress, then allow the organization to engage."  

He says this technology could be the future of suicide prevention. 

"Our goal is to empower the organizations who are supporting veterans and to enable them to engage sooner," Col. Hudson said.  

Intervening early also removes the burden of asking for help. 

"Just pick up the phone, go sit in someone's office, say ‘hey let's get some coffee,’" said Col. Hudson.  

Because connections can save lives, when you know who needs it. 

"Having people who can talk their language can a lot of times open up the door for them to find a lot of healing,” said Ashworth. 

Dial 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.

It is our policy to provide resources for anybody considering self-harm when reporting a situation involving suicide or a suicide attempt. 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener, call 1-800-273-8255.

The Veterans Crisis Line and Military Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) connect veterans and service members in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text.

Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.