Collaborative Design with Veterans: Identifying challenges of designing mhealth solution for veterans

We are investigating how mobile technology can help through the process of civilian reintegration to address the impact of reintegration related stress on veterans. As part of our investigation we have developed the prototype of a mobile-phone based veteran peer-mentor support system called iPeer. The mobile technology facilitates real-time behavioral data collection from the participating veteran mentees. Each mentee receives a behavioral survey twice a week. A report on the mentee´s survey response is then presented to the veteran mentor. As a result this system facilitates remote tracking of mental-health conditions. Our primary goal is to monitor the social functioning and risk taking behaviors of the veterans trying to readjust into social life. These behaviors are considered to be indications of difficulties adjusting to civilian life, and in more extreme cases, mental illness like anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [1].