DSS, Inc. Chosen for Phase Two of Mission Daybreak, VA’s Suicide Prevention Challenge
$20 million challenge calls on innovators to develop suicide prevention solutions
Suicide is a serious public health problem that affects communities everywhere. In 2019, more than 45,000 American adults died from suicide — including 6,261 U.S. Veterans. While suicide can affect anyone, it has a disproportionate impact on the Veteran community.
Suicide is preventable, and everyone has a part to play. A diversity of solutions will only be possible if a diversity of solvers — including Veterans, researchers, technologists, advocates, clinicians, health innovators, and service members — answer the call to collaborate and share their expertise.
That’s what led the VA to create Mission Daybreak, a $20 million U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs grand challenge to reduce Veteran suicides. This year the VA received 1,371 submissions during Phase One of the Challenge, the deadline for which was July 8, 2022.
As a finalist, DSS will receive $250,000 and advance to Phase 2 of the challenge.
During Phase 2 of the challenge, the 30 finalists will join a virtual accelerator program designed to help the finalists develop ambitious, but achievable roadmaps for prototyping, iteration, testing, and evaluation. Technology partners supporting the accelerator include Amazon and Microsoft.
The DSS, Inc. solution is a multidimensional approach to detect suicidal ideation in real-time using Machine Learning (ML) techniques. Operators are often overwhelmed with the number of calls and need tools to assist them in assessing Veteran’s suicide risk level in real-time. The solution’s multidimensional approach detects suicidal risk level in real-time using machine learning techniques, improving distress prediction accuracy. The resulting distress prediction value is viewable by the operator during the call.
Then DSS takes it a step further. Data from the Veteran’s service and medical record located in Veterans Health Information System Technology Architecture (VistA) is also valuable in assessing the risk level.
In November 2022, DSS will present our solution to key stakeholders, investors, and partners at Demo Day, a live pitch event. Phase 2 will award $11.5 million in prizes:
Two first-place winners will each receive $3 million,
Three second-place winners will each receive $1 million,
Five third-place winners will each receive $500,000.
DSS Inc.’s years of experience helping the VA with data interoperability makes all this possible. DSS is excited to bring the latest ML technology to the VA and put it to work serving veterans. Phase 2 winners will be announced in November and DSS hopes to have great news to share then! Visit missiondaybreak.net for more information.
To learn more about how DSS, Inc. supports the VA and veterans please click here.