"The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) tapped 10 digital health innovators for their suicide prevention solutions as part of its $20 million Mission Daybreak grand challenge.

VA launched the multiphase challenge in May 2022, receiving more than 1,300 pitches for the initial phase from veterans and veteran service organizations, community-based organizations, startups and universities.

A total of 30 finalists made it to phase 2, and 10 were recommended as winners by a multidisciplinary judging panel. The finalists participated in a virtual accelerator program designed to help them develop road maps for prototyping, testing and evaluation.

“Our Veterans need and deserve suicide prevention solutions that meet them where they are, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach,” VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, M.D., said in an announcement.

Televëda’s “Project Hózhó” was awarded first place in the challenge and has been awarded $3 Million in prizes. Project Hózhó is the first mental health app for American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations designed in partnership with AIAN and native veteran communities. The solution incorporates traditional healing practices like storytelling to reduce suicide and improve access to VA resources."

Read the full article here to know more about the initiative and the winners of the Mission Daybreak challenge.

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About Televëda:

Televëda's mission is to reduce social isolation and loneliness by building and supporting growing virtual communities. Founded in 2018 and based in Arizona, we serve people in more than 26 states, partner with over 125 community-based organizations, and have delivered thousands of hours of programming to bring people together, regardless of age, digital literacy, physical ability, or location.

www.televeda.com

Media Inquiries: [email protected]

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