More first responders and military personnel die due to suicide than in the line of duty or service. A new pilot study proves that the use of the GUIDE app increases goal-oriented behavior and decreases negative emotions and anxiety within one month of use.
Scranton, Pa. (December 2023) – In the face of a staggering rise in first responder and military suicides, GUIDE, an award-winning wellness and resilience mobile app, emerges as a groundbreaking solution to prioritize the mental and emotional well-being of these communities. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for proactive and effective mental health support within the military and first responder communities, which includes law enforcement, firefighters, EMS clinicians, security personnel, and correctional officers.
In a recent pilot study, GUIDE has demonstrated significant success. This unique platform is tailored to empower individuals in high-stress professions, including first responders and military personnel, by providing daily wellness practices, micro-learning courses, and anonymous small peer support groups. Seeking help can have a stigma within these communities, with individuals fearing that they will be seen as weak or unfit for duty or service. They may also be concerned with having a confidentiality breach or data leak. When mental wellness has not been addressed, their departments and units may also see an increase in absenteeism, recruitment, and retention. GUIDE proactively addresses these barriers to accessing and utilizing wellness support within its app, showing its potential to be a vital tool in solving the current wellness crisis and helping organizations address the resulting challenges around absenteeism, recruitment, and retention.
“First responders, active duty service members, and veterans alike all face unparalleled challenges, and the rising rates of suicide are a distressing reminder of the urgent need for targeted solutions. We deliver a member experience that neutralizes common fears by never collecting personal identifying information and prioritizing security through Okta, a leader in login security. These heroes and warriors need new, proactive solutions to support them in the challenging roles they play. GUIDE is not just an app; it’s a lifeline for those who serve and protect our communities,” said Patrick Sandone, Founder and CEO of GUIDE.
“I was stuck in a never-ending cycle of highs and lows. I felt like I couldn’t grab hold of my mental health or my life. Regularly engaging in exercises taught in The GUIDE App has allowed me to take back control of where my life goes. It has made me a better husband, son, brother, friend, and police officer,” remarked Lance Corporal Peter Cordaro.
GUIDE’s pilot study, conducted with members of various high-stress professions, showcased remarkable results. The study was completed over one month where sixteen testers were asked to interact with the app twelve times. Participants demonstrated consistent engagement with the app, with 75 percent completing at least one lesson and small group post each week, while 59 percent posted at least one small group comment weekly. On average, participants completed 26 lessons over four weeks, posting a total of 433 small group posts and 182 comments. The engagement varied among participants, but the overall findings suggest encouraging usage patterns and interaction with the app.
Consistent app use was hypothesized to lead to increased positive emotions, engagement, relationships, etc., and decreased negative emotions, loneliness, and anxiety was supported by the results. Scores on the PERMA increased and decreased in predicted areas (Goal-Oriented Behavior increased, on average, by 15 percent and Negative Emotions decreased, on average, by 11 percent). PWS results supported the decrease in Anxiety scores (29 percent, on average). Results suggest longer app use might lead to significant changes in Life Satisfaction, Worthwhile, and Happiness.
The study used an analysis of well-being measures to conduct its research, PERMA and PWS. PERMA is a well-being scale that stands for positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. The Personal Wellbeing Score (PWS) is a four-item measure designed to assess an individual’s own perceptions of their wellness.
Victoria Stewart, a clinical psychologist specializing in PTSD and co-author of the pilot study’s white paper, expressed optimism about the app’s potential impact. “Significant changes in well-being with a small sample size promote optimism about future studies with larger sample sizes and longer app usage durations. It shows promise of enhancing the validity and success of the app.”
To further validate and expand on these promising results, GUIDE has partnered with the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Center for Mental Health for an extensive and comprehensive clinical trial. This collaboration aims to deepen understanding and efficacy, offering hope for a transformative solution to the first responder and military wellness crisis.
As the first responders and military communities grapple with unprecedented challenges, GUIDE stands as a beacon of support. For more information or to download the pilot study white paper, visit https://theguideapp.com/pilotstudy/.
About GUIDE:
GUIDE’s mission is to empower people to improve their well-being, master their lives, and unleash their highest potential. GUIDE was founded by Patrick Sandone after challenges and chronic stress from the creation and sale of his startup, Net Driven, caused him to experience depression, burnout, and a loss of purpose. Sandone went on a five-year self-discovery and wellness journey where he learned how to live his best life by transforming his mindset, building emotional intelligence, discovering his purpose, and achieving self-mastery. He realized that the obstacles that prevented him from seeking help earlier (such as fear of appearing weak and poor prior experiences with wellness) were very similar to the challenges faced by First Responders and Veterans when engaging with wellness support. Sandone set out to help others like himself by lowering the barriers to entry and making wellness more accessible. www.theguideapp.com
