RFI __ Peer-to-Peer Avator Suicide Prevention program (NOV2020).pdf

Peer-to-Peer Military Suicide Prevention Avatar Training

OBJECTIVE: Provide on line suicide prevention/gatekeeper peer-to-peer support training to North Dakota Army National Guard (NDARNG).

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: The product shall be an online, peer-to-peer, simulation-based suicide prevention training program that is military specific. Learners engage in role-play conversations with emotionally responsive avatars that exhibit signs of depression, thoughts of suicide, and anxiety. Role-plays need to include scenarios that deal with substance abuse and counseling on access to lethal means.

Avatars respond through body language, facial expressions, and audio dialogue. The avatars possess their own emotional state and memory.

• Conversations built around a behavioral model, which dictates the cause-and-effect relationship between users ‘decisions and the responses of the virtual characters.

• Dynamic and open-ended conversation architecture which adjusts to the decisions and tactics made by users during the conversation.

The product will need to have demonstrated as a best practice for suicide prevention and have research-supporting efficacy.

BACKGROUND: To date NDARNG has utilized following:

• Ask, Care, Escort (ACE);

• Engage, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

• A more intensive ACE Suicide Intervention. Provided by prevention specialist or Suicide Intervention Officers (SIO) embedded within the units.