Villy app increases protective factors

Villy is an Australian organisation aiming to support Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and veterans by increasing protective factors against suicide via the Villy App. The core purpose of Villy is to create a village or community and recreate the protective factors employment in the ADF offers but within the broader Australian society.

Villy focuses on supporting ADF families and veterans, acknowledging the unique and isolating challenges they often face. The Villy app helps identify potential unmet mental health needs and provide support to seek self-help or external support.

In July 2023 Villy launched the app via a pilot program in Darwin. This small-scale pilot serves as a trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the app before it is rolled out nationally. The Villy App and pilot program is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program.

While the initial focus of the Villy app focusses on ADF personnel, veterans and their families, the ultimate goal is to expand to include the wider community as all families need the trauma-aware support that Villy provides.

The pilot aims to close gaps in accessing services, re-create purpose, and foster community connections, while normalising support of its target audience and ensuring safeguards are in place to prevent harm due to unmet needs for ADF personnel and veterans.

Despite facing challenges, the Villy team is optimistic that the insights gained will inform the broader national launch. One of the main challenges has been ensuring robust internal and external safeguards to meet participants' needs. Mental health support is sensitive, and there is a risk of harm when those needs are not fully met. The team has implemented strict protocols and guidelines to address service gaps quickly, and ensure users receive the necessary support. Early feedback highlighted the diverse needs of participants leading the team to revise the program to be more inclusive and flexible. These adjustments have strengthened trust among users and provided valuable data for future improvements. Additionally, increasing the ways in which people engage has been a focus to ensure people can connect in meaningful ways when they feel safe.

A lesson from the pilot has been the importance of building strong relationships with both participants and stakeholders. Villy CEO, Heather Latimer emphasises that trust is critical in mental health support, and it takes time to develop meaningful connections. The pilot has enabled the team to gather both feedback on the app and broader community insights. Additionally, the power of lived experience has been pivotal in the success of the program.

Collaboration with external mental health professionals and organisations has also been crucial. The app’s success relies on a network of partners who provide additional support and resources for users. This collaboration ensures that the app's features are comprehensive and responsive to various needs, particularly in addressing the complex challenges faced by veterans and families. The Villy app’s core mission is to address unmet needs, recognising that stress and unaddressed basic human needs contribute significantly to mental illness and suicide.

Given the increased suicide rates for ADF personnel and veterans, timely and accessible intervention is essential. The app works to simplify access to support and provide access to resources to users, including connecting them to practical help or social connections. By removing barriers, the app aims to create a safe base for people to return when they’re unsure of the next step in their journey.

Streamlining the user journey has been another focus during the pilot. The Villy team is committed to refining the design to ensure it is user-friendly, particularly as it prepares for a national rollout. Feedback from pilot participants is being integrated into updates to ensure the system is effective and scalable.

The lessons learned from the pilot will serve as a solid foundation for scaling the app to a national level. A newly appointed board of directors at Villy bring diverse experience to guide the team through the challenges of expansion and ensure long-term success. CEO, Heather Latimer reflects that while data and KPIs are important, her true measure of success is seeing people regain hope and a renewed sense of self-worth.