Episode 457 Betsey Mercado Objective Zero Peer Support for Military Veterans Transcript

This transcript is from episode 457 with guest Betsey Mercado.

Scott DeLuzio: [00:00:00] Hey, everyone. Welcome back to Drive On. I’m your host, Scott DeLuzio. And today my guest is Betsy Mercado. Uh, Betsy is a social entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience working with, uh, the military and veteran, uh, communities. And she serves as the co founder and executive director of Objective Zero, a non profit organization that uses technology to provide support, community, and resources to combat ve to combat, uh, veteran suicide.

Uh, Betsy is well known for her work. Uh, in this field, being a scholar of the, uh, George W. Bush Stand to Veteran, uh, leadership program and has been recognized with the Shield of Sparta Heroine of the Infantry Award. And today we’re, we’ll be talking about her work with Objective Zero and how her, uh, initiatives are making a difference in the lives of service members, veterans, and their [00:01:00] families.

Uh, before we get into all of that, though. Betsy, uh, welcome to the show. Really glad to have you here.

Betsey Mercado: Thank you so much for the opportunity. I’m looking forward to our conversation.

Scott DeLuzio: Yeah, me too. Um, you know, we met, um, probably what, almost a month ago now, uh, you know, at the time of this recording anyways, uh, at the, uh, Military Influencer Conference, and we, uh, got to chat a little bit about, you know, what you do and everything. I thought it was pretty cool. And, um, you know, this show, It’s all about providing, uh, resources and opportunities and, and giving hope to people who may feel like all hope is lost.

And, um, that’s obviously not a place that we want people to be. And so, When I saw you and the app that you have and, um, the resources that are provided through it, I thought this would be a great opportunity to share it with, uh, my audience because, uh, you know, like I said, I want to get as many resources out there as possible to, to help some folks.

So, um, let’s [00:02:00] jump right in and, uh, could you share With us, what Objective Zero is? Uh, I know we talked a little bit about it just in the intro there, but, um, you know, what is it, kind of give us a background, what kind of inspired you and your team to, uh, address this issue of suicide in the military and veteran communities through, uh, through this approach?

Betsey Mercado: The Objective Zero Foundation is a tech non profit, and we’re connecting service members, veterans, their spouses, partners, families, and caregivers to on demand peer support through text, voice, and video chat, and also getting them connected to evidence based tools, training, and resources in an effort to prevent suicide.

Kind of the impetus for starting this was, it was almost about 10 years ago, uh, my husband’s still active duty army, uh, he noticed the signs that one of his former soldiers was struggling over social media, and so, uh, my husband, Chris, called his buddy, Justin, and said, Hey, you know what, what’s up? What’s going on?

Are you thinking about suicide? And Justin’s response was, had my weapon [00:03:00] been loaded the night before? We wouldn’t be talking. And so Chris and Justin spoke on the phone for over six hours and Chris asked Justin again if he was still thinking about suicide and Justin said he felt so much better that just having someone listening to him and sharing the story was, was what he needed to get through that, that, that moment of crisis.

And so thinking about that issue and knowing that Justin was not alone in, in his struggles, we were thinking about ways that we could it. Kind of replicate that call at scale and technology is really kind of the way that we thought that would be the best way to reach more veterans and support more people.

Scott DeLuzio: That, you know, it’s amazing how You know, a moment like that, uh, which could have had a tragic ending, uh, right. Um, but having the foresight to pick up the phone and call and talk and, and make sure that things were going to be okay, uh, in this case, [00:04:00] and then taking that idea, that’s kind of like the seed that was planted almost, right.

And then taking that idea into something bigger. How do we. address this on a larger scale. Um, there’s, there’s veterans all over the place who are struggling and I know that’s sort of what I did with this podcast is I, you know, personally have known people who have unfortunately gone that, that, down that road route and they, um, they’re no longer with us and I, I didn’t want to just sit around waiting for another phone call saying another person that I knew, uh, you know, took their own life and I didn’t, I didn’t feel right just sitting around.

So I wanted to start this podcast to, um, provide resources and hope and opportunities for, for folks to, um, to know that they’re not alone, uh, you know, similar to what you were just saying. And how do you do that at scale? How do you reach as many people as you can? Well, I, you [00:05:00] know, I don’t know everybody, so I’m not going to pick up the phone and call everybody, but if I could do a podcast, right.

And similarly technology, right. In your case, you’re using a different form of technology, but. It’s still technology nonetheless that we’re using to get out there and reach people. Um, so tell us like specifically, you know, you, you download this app, what can people expect when they, they go into this app and you know, what kind of peer support and other uh, tools are available that, that people can, uh, jump into in that app?

Betsey Mercado: When someone downloads the app, they can fill out a profile and they can share as much or as little information as they want to provide. And they have the ability to connect to a peer through text. Voice or video chats, and they can filter through our network of peer support pathfinders to find someone most like them, or they can push one button and get connected to the first person that takes that call.

In addition to that peer support aspect, we also provide a host of [00:06:00] resources within the app, everything from yoga and meditation to free or low cost mental health care, as well as some evidence based tools. There’s a mood journal, Uh, Symptom Tracker and Energy Tracker and Journaling feature within, within the app as well.

So it allows someone to kind of navigate their own course, um, within the app or get support from a peer to navigate, uh, the resources or just have a listening ear.

Scott DeLuzio: Now those peers that are in the app, um, where do you get those peers from, those folks who, I’m assuming they’re volunteers who are, you know, volunteering their time to help out with people. Where do you find those folks and how do you kind of, I guess, vet them? That they’re the right people to, to be doing this type of work.

Betsey Mercado: So we have over 2, 700 volunteers. They’re in all 50 states and in 27 countries across the globe. So wherever our [00:07:00] service members and veterans are, we often have people in those areas volunteering virtually through the app as well. We have learned that most of the people that are providing their time on the app, our Pathfinders, have experienced issues with their own mental health or effects of service themselves, or they’ve lost someone that they’ve loved to suicide or someone that they’ve served with.

Um, most of our volunteers are service members and veterans, um, almost 90 percent of them are, but we also have military family members and spouses and caregivers, we have mental health professionals acting in a volunteer capacity, and we also have clergy and some just concerned citizens, people that, um, want to give back and support service members and veterans, and this is just one way for them to do it.

Um, There’s a few ways that we train and vet our people. We use ID. me so we can verify someone’s service, number one. And really, what we’re learning is the people that are coming to us to volunteer are doing it because they’ve been affected by the [00:08:00] problem. And so there’s this natural empathy and natural desire to help others.

And so we provide over 24, excuse me, 20 hours of training to our volunteers, um, starts off with Operation Save, which is the VA’s kind of baseline, um, suicide prevention training. We have dozens of courses through PsychArmor, um, that they’ve provided, or they’ve, um, developed, and we’ve developed our own.

And then we have crisis response plan training. We have lethal means training, um, just a variety of ways for our people to get trained as well to provide that support.

Scott DeLuzio: That, that’s great. Um, because to your point earlier, what you were talking about with your, your husband and his, and his buddy, um, you know, sometimes it’s just having somebody who kind of understands where you’re coming from. Uh, maybe, maybe someone who’s been there and experienced something similar to what you’re going through.

Uh, and you can talk to that person and they get [00:09:00] it and you don’t, you’re not being. You know, you don’t feel like you’re being judged, uh, you don’t feel like you’re, you know, in an unsafe space, like you can’t share that information with someone, they’re going to think you’re weird for having these thoughts or doing, you know, whatever, um, so when you, when you have that, that type of, um, person who’s, who’s on the other end of that, that line, whether it’s a text message or phone call, whatever, whatever means of communication that you’re, you’re using to communicate, um, You know that that person cares, first off, but also gets it, and I think that’s an important aspect of what it is that you guys do, um, because, uh, yeah, sure, you may, you may go to a psychologist or something who never Yeah.

Yeah. Served in the military at all, never experienced any of the kind of things. Uh, they’ve read a lot about it and maybe in a textbook, but they may not have, uh, you know, that, that firsthand experience [00:10:00] and it, it may just feel awkward. Uh, you may not want to share it with somebody like that. Right. Um, so, so it’s great that, that there are, you know, a variety of options, uh, for, for folks.

And, and you said, uh, how many, was it? Like 2,500? Uh.

Betsey Mercado: 2700.

Scott DeLuzio: Sorry. Um, yeah, so I mean, there’s, there’s a lot of people out there who want to help, right? You don’t, you don’t sign up and go through all that training that you just mentioned. Uh, if you’re not, if you don’t actually care, if you don’t actually want to help people.

Right. Um, and so, uh, I guess I’m, I’m. Saying that, I know this is a little bit long winded, but I’m saying all that for the listeners, uh, for, for their benefit, so, you know, if they’re sitting there like, nobody cares, who cares what I’m going through, right, you have a whole bunch of people, you have 2, 700 people who care, and, Want to listen and are, want to provide you help, uh, and, and make sure that you, you know, wake up [00:11:00] tomorrow morning and are still with us, you know, and, and the morning after that and so on.

Right. Um, so it’s, it’s great. I think, you know, going through all that training and vetting them, making sure that they, you know, um, are actually who they say they are. Right. Um, you know, cause that was one of the, uh, you know, questions that popped up in my head. It’s like, well. How do you know who, you know, all these people, how do you know all of them?

And, uh, you know, all that, but that, that’s a great way to kind of vet them and make sure that they, uh, you know, are who they say they are and they, they are, um, providing the, the guidance that, uh, will be beneficial in the long run. Right. Um, so. Overall, you know, there’s, yes, there’s that peer support, um, but there, there’s more things to the app than just that, right?

And I’m, that’s a big piece of it, so I don’t want to minimize what that is either. But, um, what are some of the other things in the app that, that folks [00:12:00] can, can utilize to, to help them? I know you mentioned a few things like yoga and, uh, you know, other, uh, instruction type based things. Um, are, are there other, uh, categories of services that are provided through that?

Betsey Mercado: So, one of the first things we have access to is the Columbia scale suicide screening. So, you can check your own risk level. If maybe you don’t know, or there’s someone you love that’s struggling, you can go through this sex We have a six question, um, assessment. We have an opioid, excuse me, opioid assessment as well for your risk of that.

And within the resources section, we have a host of resources. It’s not just crisis resources. There’s, um, Things to help you deal with post traumatic stress. There’s some financial resources. There’s resources in there for military spouses and family members to help them with some of the issues that they’re experiencing.

Transition issues. [00:13:00] We have access to the VA resources and their apps. I think they have over 30 now. The VA’s apps are phenomenal and I don’t think anything that we do within the Objective Zero app overlaps what they, they have provided, but they’re individual apps you have to download, but there are some fantastic other apps out there that, um, complement what we’re doing as well.

Scott DeLuzio: Yeah, they do. They have a number of apps, and I didn’t know exactly how many, uh, that 30s, you know, that number actually kind of surprised me, but, uh, I know, I know several of them, actually, that I have downloaded on my phone, actually. Um, but, uh, yeah, they do have a lot, and they are, they’re pretty good, uh, too, with the information that they have and, uh, the resources that are available, that type of stuff.

Um, And similar to, uh, other folks that are out there who are trying to provide help and support to, to people, kind of what you said is, um, you know, they got a great [00:14:00] product over there too. And so, um, yeah, you, you do your thing and you’re doing it. Really well and they do their thing and they’re doing it really well and there’s not, you know, a ton of overlap with with everything.

So, um, you know, it’s like yeah, check that out app out too, right? Like that might be a thing that helps as well. So it’s great that you have those resources in there as well. And from your perspective with the Uh, types of people that are using your app, uh, I don’t know how, how well you’re able to kind of see what is going on within the app, but, uh, what are some of the primary challenges that you think the users are facing when it comes to, uh, maybe their mental health and um, you know, the, the types of ways, I guess, ways that you’re addressing those?

Betsey Mercado: I think they get one of the biggest misconceptions is that, um, suicide is always a [00:15:00] mental health issue in itself. Um, Research tells us over 50 percent of veteran suicides have nothing to, they don’t have a diagnosed mental health illness or issue. And so for us, it really is how can we tackle these issues upstream?

How can we get our service members and veterans and families connected to the resources and addressing the issues that they have before they hit that moment of crisis? And so, It’s not just, um, making sure they get connected to mental health. It’s how can we make sure that they’re, they have their resources that help with financial issues or relationship issues.

Um, maybe it’s childhood trauma. Um, maybe it’s, you know, issue from, something from deployment. So for us, it’s kind of a multifaceted approach, like how, and it has to be, oftentimes it’s a culmination of all of these factors that just hit at the right moment for someone to really be in crisis. And so, um, I think just the understanding that.

It may not be a mental health issue at all. It’s maybe you were laid off from your job or you’re transitioning out of the military and, you know, just kind of at a loss. You’ve [00:16:00] lost your sense of meaning, your sense of purpose, and just, you know, kind of stuck. And so for us, it’s how can we address these many challenges, um, and get someone connected to resources, whether that’s to a peer, uh, to a resource within our, our app, or us finding something that works best for them.

Scott DeLuzio: Yeah, so you’re right that there’s so many different issues that could lead to, you know, veteran suicide and, um, you know, it’s not just veterans either, you know, there, a lot of people are dealing with financial struggles, relationships, they’re, they may be getting laid off from their job, like you mentioned, um, you know, so many different things that they may be dealing with.

Um, but you know, regardless of, of how much you’re going through or how, how difficult it is and, and, and all that. Uh, they’re There’s a better way to deal with all of those things, right? [00:17:00] And so getting that help, getting that support right when you need it, and you know, I think it’s great. Most people are walking around with a smartphone in their pocket these days.

And so if you download the app, maybe you don’t need it today, right? But download the app. You know, have it have it on your phone and know that it’s there if God forbid you need it someday, or maybe a friend, or a family member, or somebody, uh, you know, who, who needs it. Um, even like you said, that, that assessment, uh, six questions, pretty simple, straightforward, right?

Um, go through that assessment, whether it’s for you or for somebody else, and be like, okay, well, Maybe I do need to be a little more concerned than I was about this person because, um, because of where, you know, what their scoring is on that, that, uh, that ranking. Um, now, one thing I know for, just through conversations that I’ve had with, um, [00:18:00] Other veterans and other providers of, of services to veterans, uh, is a lot of times, uh, not necessarily veterans, but, but service members currently serving, uh, you know, anybody may be with a security clearance and that type of thing.

They’re, they’re one of their biggest concerns about, Oh, I don’t want to go talk to mental health because I might lose my, my clearance. I might lose my job, uh, you know, that type of thing. Because. Certain reporting requirements would have to report it back to their chain of command that type of thing Is there anything like that through this app like anything that someone like they fill out that assessment and they come out You know, I’m not high end.

Are you Obligated to report that to a chain of command or anything like that or is is this you know Private and anonymous that type of thing

Betsey Mercado: It is absolutely private and anonymous. We do not report anything to anyone. Um, you know, if we suspect that [00:19:00] someone is in crisis of hurting themselves, hurting others, we’re going to take action and get you to the support that you need or help you support someone else. You know, my, my spouse is still active duty and he’s been in for, gosh, over 25 years now.

And, you know, I, I’ve seen that that conversation from that first time he was deployed in 2000. five coming back and they were going, you know, the redeployment and the guys that were saying, yes, I’m having issues post traumatic stress, they weren’t going home that night. So that was getting back to all of them like don’t, don’t check mark, yes.

On that box. And so people since then were not getting support and the help that they needed. And Where now I, you know, I think chains of command are doing a much better job of making sure their people are taken care of and that stigma of seeking help. I think they’re breaking down some of those barriers.

And so, um, this is, I think, a really great tool for anyone that is afraid of seeking help in other ways. ways they maybe don’t want to go [00:20:00] to their chain of command or behavioral health or to the chaplain. They, you know, they just want to talk to someone that really understands. And so for us, you know, you may not get help through, um, you know, the military DOD, um, but we can find some ways to get you support, um, whether it’s through Corn Veterans Network or Headstrong or get you connected to care if you need it.

Um, for us, It’s really important that people are reaching out for when they need help and we’re just, you know, one tool in their, in their, in their wrap for, uh, for that support.

Scott DeLuzio: Yeah, a hundred percent. And I, I always, uh, you know, kind of make that analogy when you, you refer to something like that, like a, like a tool, um, where if you have a, like a contractor who’s going out or, you know, to a job site or whatever, they got their tool belt, they got the things that they’re using on a regular basis.

Right. But, uh, there’s some tools that they maybe don’t use every single day. And so they leave those out in the truck. Right. Uh, you know, wherever it is. Right. And so, um, you know, this to me seems like it may [00:21:00] be one of those, you may not need it every single day. Sure. If you’re in a difficult spot, yeah, sure.

It may be a daily, multiple times a day, probably that you’re, you’re opening up this app and, you know, communicating and, uh, finding resources. You may be doing, doing that quite a bit. But, um, the way I see it is, uh, if like right now, if I’m, if I’m good, Okay, good. I want to stay good. You know, uh, I can see maybe there’s going to be a time when something triggers and I’m not so good, um.

It doesn’t hurt to put an app on your phone, right? It’s not like you said, it’s private, it’s anonymous. It’s not tracking you. It’s not reporting to a chain of command or anything like that. You can get the help and resources, uh, right there, just as easy as you can open up Facebook or any other app that you might have on your phone.

Um, and so yeah, why, like, why wouldn’t you? Uh, install it, set up that profile, and, uh, you know, that [00:22:00] way, um, like you said, you can put as little or as much information in there as you want, it doesn’t have to get back to anybody. Um, and that, that’s a beautiful thing, I think, about all of this, is, is that it can be completely anonymous, um, and, uh.

You know, you’ll still be able to get the help that you need without worrying about, you know, am I going to lose my job? Is my security clearance going to get pulled? Or, you know, anything like that. So, now, would you be able to share, obviously, Anonymous, if possible, would you be able to share, uh, any success stories that you’ve heard about through, uh, the use of Objective Zero and, um, you know, how, how you’ve seen lives change through some of the stuff that you guys do?

Betsey Mercado: Absolutely. One of the things that comes to mind is we had a homeless veteran that had the app on his phone, was living out of his car, and was really struggling, and he reached out to a peer through Objective [00:23:00] Zero, and that Pathfinder was able to find that veteran a place to stay for the night, found a shelter in the local area, and then continued to follow up with this veteran to help him Find a job and get stable employment.

And so, I mean, this was a peer, this was just someone that just wanted to help. But, you know, uh, and so we’re able to get, you know, that that veteran off the streets and a stable job, which was phenomenal. Um, you know, that training that we’re providing to our pathfinders, we’re learning that they’re not just using the, um, what they’re learning, um, their training in the app.

They’re going into their communities and they are supporting. strangers, they’re supporting, um, the people that, you know, in their lives, their co workers, loved ones, um, you know, we think about asking that, that issue of suicide. Are you suicidal? It’s, you know, for many, it’s a very hard question. And, um, you know, I think we need to normalize these conversations, you know, how are you doing, [00:24:00] you know, are you doing okay?

How are you really doing? You know, Are you thinking about hurting yourself? Like, make them more comfortable so we’re asking the right questions. Um, I think one of the most, um, one of the ones that is most, like, notable in my mind is we actually had, uh, an active service member that had taken a lethal dose of prescription pills, got on the app, and reached out.

to someone and just said, I wanted, I wanted someone to know that I was taking my life and why. And so we were able to work with that Pathfinder. Um, they were in the same town. And so we were able to, um, get connected at emergency services, um, get them, um, that support they needed immediately. I got into the hospital, um, took some, Took a lot of recovery, but like literally saved his life because of a Pathfinder.

And so, um, you know, very, very different [00:25:00] circumstances, but we’re helping people every single day, you know, whether it’s, you know, getting them off the streets, getting them into shelter, finding a food bank, um, or getting them literally, um, you know, that life saving support they need.

Scott DeLuzio: that’s incredible too, because if you think about it, if, if this app didn’t exist, right, um, that person may not be here, uh, it may not still be with us, and, uh, I know, I don’t know about you, but I know for me, when I, I started this show, uh, I had the thought that, you know, if I can help just one person, I, I feel like mission accomplished, right?

And obviously, over the years, uh, you know, there’s more than one person who’s been listening to this show. There’s, there’s been, you know, many, many people who, who listen to it. That same mindset still exists, even, you know, five ish years later, five and a half years later. Um, I’m, I’m still thinking to myself, like, who’s the one person who’s listening to this episode right [00:26:00] now, who really needs it, who really needs, uh, that type of support, that type of help, maybe needs to hear a certain message, uh, to inspire them to keep going or whatever, who’s that one person.

And if I can reach that one person and help that one person with every one of these episodes, um, you know, then. Yeah, of course, mission accomplished, but, uh, in this case, you can, you can literally look at that one person and be like, you know what, all of this, all the blood, sweat, and tears that went into all of this, it was worth it, because that person is still walking, talking, and, you know, still with us, and, and that, that’s a great thing.

I’m not saying it’s all, it’s all, Rainbows and Unicorns for that person, right? Sure, they probably had a rough go after getting the help that they needed, um, you know, especially the recovery, uh, from something like that, that’s probably not, uh, probably didn’t help the situation, um, but they still had [00:27:00] breath in their lungs, they still had Blood flowing through them, they, they’re still here with us, uh, so they could fight another day, right?

Betsey Mercado: Right?

Scott DeLuzio: 100%. So, um, you know, I, I think that, that type of thing is amazing. Um, you know, hearing, hearing stories like that, that shows people are willing to help and willing to, you know, kind of drop everything in that moment, um, to make sure that those people are getting the help that they need. Right. Um, yeah. Now, what advice would you give to, maybe to veterans or their family members who might be hesitant, maybe unsure about reaching out for help, um, whether it’s through Objective Zero or any, any other, uh, place that might be offering help, um, you know, who are just like, you know what, I got this, I’ll, I’ll figure it out on my own, uh, kind of thing, but [00:28:00] really they’re probably not figuring it out on their own in, in reality, right?

Um, any advice for those types of people?

Betsey Mercado: You know, I found that reaching out for help is one of the greatest signs of strength. You know, that self awareness that like something’s not quite right, you know, I need to do something. And I think Objective Zero is proof that there are people there that want to help you. They’re there to listen.

They’re going to be there 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are people that care and will drop, like you said, drop anything or drop everything to be there and listen. And so, you know, What works for one person doesn’t work for another. And so, you know, find that one thing that, you know, you think might work.

And if that doesn’t work, there’s going to be something out there that does. And so, um, I would absolutely encourage anyone that’s struggling, whether a little bit or a lot of it, to, to reach out. And that can be through the Objective Zero app, that could be to, you know, a friend, a loved one, call the crisis line, dial 988, [00:29:00] um, There’s so many resources available and out there.

I think that’s we’re at like 45, 000 non profits for veterans and service members right now. Um, so, and what I’ve heard a lot of times is veterans don’t want to share what they’re struggling with because it’s a burden. They’re putting a burden on someone else and, you know, they’re not a burden. Their struggles are not a burden.

And also that, you know, If you’re reaching out for help and getting a resource, you’re not taking that away from another veteran or service member or loved one. Um, that’s another thing. Well, one taking that spot or that, like, you know, you’ve served our country. You’ve, you’ve loved someone that served our country.

Like you have earned the support, the resources, and the help that you need. And so, um, you know, help is always out there and you are never alone.

Scott DeLuzio: Yeah. And I love that you mentioned, uh, that mindset that a lot of veterans have, a lot of service members have. Oh, somebody else has it worse than me. So I, I, I’m not going to take that resource from [00:30:00] that other person. Right. Um, you know, yeah, sure. You’re going to call and, or you’re going to call one person and maybe that person’s not going to be available to talk to somebody else, but guess what?

There’s, yeah. 2700 other people who can talk to somebody else and you have the resources. It’s not like a, uh, you know, just because you call 2700 people are now occupied with your one situation. Um, you know, It doesn’t work that way, right? And plus, there’s so many other resources too. Like you mentioned a bunch of, uh, you know, different resources that, that people can go and utilize, uh, so you’re not taking it away from somebody else because you’re, you’re getting the help.

Um, even through the VA, if you were to go and get, you know, You know, mental health, uh, treatment through the VA and say your local VA is, they’re, they’re all booked. They, they have no spots for, you [00:31:00] know, any other veterans. Um, they refer you out to the community and there’s community providers who are just as capable and a lot of times all they work with are veterans.

And so it’s not like they’re unfamiliar with the issues that you’re going to be bringing to them. Um, and so, yeah, to your point, there’s always going to be. Somebody there who’s going to be able to help. Uh, you’re not taking that resource away from somebody else. Um, now you also have, you talked a little bit about some partnerships and things that you have with other organizations.

Uh, now the, the CDC and, and the, their, the foundation, uh, the veteran suicide prevention, uh, uh, project that they have, uh, how, how do these partnerships kind of, uh, you know, work with Objective Zero and everything that you guys are doing? And

Betsey Mercado: For us, uh, collaboration and partnerships are vital to what we’re doing. Uh, I think we’ve all learned by [00:32:00] this point that not one person or organization is going to solve all the problems, and so we have got to work together. And so being able to work with organizations, big or small, has been fantastic for us.

We worked with the CDC, CDC Foundation for over three three years on their evaluation project. And so we’ve worked with other organizations to build the internal capacity to evaluate our programs, which for us is just as important as anything else we do, because we have this great resource, but if we can’t prove that it’s that it’s working, uh, that we’re creating impact, like what is it all for?

And so for us, we are constantly evaluating everything from the interface of the Objective Zero app to the quality of our training, um, and really soliciting feedback from our community members, our app users, and our volunteer pathfinders, just so that we can provide better programs and services. Um, you know, we work with organizations like Comeback Yoga and Warriors at ease to provide that [00:33:00] free yoga training and meditation.

That’s a fantastic resource, uh, for anyone and they offer it for veterans, uh, regardless of your ability. So, um, if you have any type of disability, you know, like maybe you’re, you know, bound to a chair, like there’s still like yoga available to you to keep that, um, keep your, you know, keep active however you can.

And so, um, for us, um, in this space, we’ve learned, you know, Like, this is not a zero sum game. Like, we have got to work together. Like, us working with someone else is not going to take funding away. It’s not going to take that, that resource, you know, available. And so, uh, really for us is where can we find those partnerships to create better programs, services, and fill in the holes and address, um, you know, where those gaps are in supporting our, our nation’s service members and veterans.

Scott DeLuzio: there’s a saying, and I hope I get it right, as I’m saying this, someone’s probably gonna correct me if I’m, if I butcher it, but, uh, if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to [00:34:00] go far, go together. And when you’re looking at something like this, this is, this is not a sprint. This is a marathon where we have a lot of ground to cover.

Um, there’s a lot of different, uh, like you said earlier, a lot of different reasons that people get into a crisis state where, um, they, They might have, again, financial issues, uh, relationship issues, mental health issues, a wide variety of different things that are out there. Um, you know, you’re not an expert in every one of those fields.

And, and, you know, nobody is, uh, uh, an expert in every single one of those, those areas. And so, um, you know, if you expect, uh, To go to any one person and get help in, in a big encompassing, uh, thing like that, you’re probably not going to get the best advice, uh, that way. Um, and if you have multiple people who are experts, you know, financial experts, uh, you know, people can help with budgeting and, and that type of thing, maybe [00:35:00] career experts who, you know, can help coach and resumes and, you know, that type of thing.

Um, you know, mental health experts and relationships. Uh, you know, all those things, uh, you bring all those people together and now all of a sudden you’re starting to, starting to be in business here, right? You’re, you’re able to, um, you’re able to affect some sort of change in the, the folks that you’re ha, ha, the folks that you are helping, excuse me, um, because, uh, Um, you have a much, uh, much wider, uh, array of resources, um, you know, that, that are available, uh, to you, right.

Um, now for the listeners who are out there and thinking to themselves, you know what, this sounds like a good thing. I’d like to have this, I’m assuming Android, uh, Apple, uh, you know, devices are all covered as far as that goes. Uh, So [00:36:00] they can just go to whatever their app store is and download Objective Zero to their phone, right?

Uh, what does the sign up process look like and how does that work?

Betsey Mercado: Yeah, so it’s available on the Google Play Store, Apple App Store. It’s free to download. It’s free to use. Available 24 7. Once you download the Objective Zero app, you can create a profile. If you’re looking to volunteer, um, you can do that right within the app as well right now. Um, and one thing that I failed to mention earlier in our discussion is kind of what sets Objective Zero apart from other organizations in this space.

And, um, Through our use of technology, our community members, our app users can filter through our network of pathfinders to find someone most like them. So it can be your age, gender, location, a language that you speak, maybe because I know not everyone speaks English, we may have some like spouses or people that speak Spanish or Korean or whatever it may be.

Scott DeLuzio: And,

Betsey Mercado: Your branch of branch of service, [00:37:00] your military occupational specialty, what units you’ve served in, where you’ve deployed to, and shared lived experiences. And so being able to filter through our network really kind of breaks down some of those barriers and creates a shortcut to trust. So you’re, Truly able to connect with someone that’s been where you’ve been, seen what you’ve seen and done what you’ve done.

And so, um, we’re always looking for people to volunteer with, you know, various backgrounds. Um, most of the people that use and leverage the Objective Zero app, um, are combat veterans. They’re, you know, infantry and armor, uh, engineers of all, of all branches. Um, and so we’re always looking for a diverse group of people to provide that support so that, you know, anyone that’s reaching out.

can really find someone that is able to connect with them. We have a high percentage of female users as well. Um, female, uh, you know, they’re growing in our military. We have more female veterans as well. And so that’s something we’re really proud of is providing support to [00:38:00] anyone that’s reaching out. It does not matter your discharge type.

It does not matter if you served one day or you served 30 years. You know, we want to provide this tool to anyone that has served or loves someone that has served.

Scott DeLuzio: and I like that you’re able to kind of filter the, the folks that you’re, you’re going to talk to, uh, to get the support from, um, because maybe somebody is more comfortable talking to a female versus a male or vice versa, or, uh, you know, someone who’s closer in age, or maybe they want someone older, a little more wisdom or, or something.

I don’t know. You know, there’s a lot of things that people may have in the back of their head. Like I’m, I’m, Who am I most comfortable, uh, talking with and, and you can kind of drill down to, uh, that, that type of person, um, and, and even experience base as well, you know, where, where you’re an infantryman, where, you know, what was your, your job in the military?

And, um, but are you going to talk my language when I’m talking to you and, you know, that type of [00:39:00] thing, uh, I think is important as well. So that is great that you, um, yeah, and I’m grateful that you mentioned, uh, You know, what sets you apart from, from other services out there too. And I think that’s a big, a big deal, um, in how that does set you apart because, um, to your point, not everybody is comfortable talking to everybody out there, right?

You have, uh, you have a lot of different experiences and, um, you know, uh, a female who maybe had a, uh, You know, a sexual assault encounter with a male, maybe not, maybe doesn’t want to bring it up to a male, and she wants to talk to a female or something. And so, um, you know, it’s nice that there are people like that.

Those options, those filtering options. Um, and you said for folks who are, uh, looking to volunteer to provide support, um, they, they can do that. They can sign up right through the app. Is that correct?

Betsey Mercado: That is, yep, we have all of our training right within the app. You can [00:40:00] also go to the Objective Zero website and learn more, um, if you’re more comfortable using a computer, but, um, yeah, it’s available through the app or through our website on, on how ways to get involved. It’s not always just becoming a Pathfinder.

There are many ways, um, if someone wants to volunteer some of their, their talents, or you may be, because we know that being a Pathfinder is not for everyone, and that’s okay, but there’s still ways that you can get involved. You can give support if you’re looking to, uh, for a volunteer opportunity that’s virtual.

Scott DeLuzio: And, and I’m sure if there’s someone out there who has a, And then, uh, there was a, a service, a, you know, some organization that, that provides a service to veterans. Uh, I’m sure if they reached out and, uh, talked with you, you probably could get them involved, uh, in the app, you know, whether it’s, um, you know, some other, you know, service.

type of service, kind of like you had, you had mentioned like the different kind of yoga instructors and things like that. Um, if they have something that’s maybe unique and different from what you might already have, that might be something [00:41:00] that they could do as well. Right?

Betsey Mercado: Absolutely. They can go right to our website and, um, and contact us and share all we need as a logo, uh, the email and a description of what they’re offering and, um, no cost to add that to the app either. We, for us, it’s really important that veterans and their families and service members have access to a variety of tools and resources.

So, um, uh, Encourage anyone that might be listening, um, that want, that has a resource, uh, or tool available, we’d be happy to get that added to the Objective Zero app.

Scott DeLuzio: Excellent. Um, yeah. So, Again, I’ll have the, uh, the website link in the show notes, and I’ll try to put the links to the, uh, Apple and Android, uh, apps in the show notes as well. So, if you’re listening to this, whatever podcast platform you’re on, uh, if you see that link there, just tap the link. And it’ll bring you right to it.

There’s really no, no reason not to just click it, download it, and set up a profile. The whole thing, I did it [00:42:00] myself. Um, you know, a lot of the questions I was asking about this, I was playing dumb for the sake of the audience, but, um, uh, you know, I went through it myself and it, it really, it, it took Just a couple minutes to set everything up and I know kind of it’s more of a peace of mind thing for me You know is if I’m going through something and I need some help I want to be able to know that I have somebody that I can reach out to even if I don’t have Somebody to reach out to there’s somebody there, right?

Or, if somebody I know is going through something, and I need help, like, how do I help this person, um, I’m not an expert, um, but, like we were saying before, we’re not experts in everything, um, but you can, you can reach out to those folks who are, and they should be able to help you, and, and so, I want to have it there, just, you know, You know, in case, um, you never know what, what may happen down the line and when you might need it.

So, [00:43:00] it’s like having a fire extinguisher in your home, right? Like, you have it because you never know when a fire is going to break out and you might, you might need it. Um, you don’t have time to run to the store and go get one when that fire starts, right? So, um, you know, download it, uh, and, uh, And keep it there.

Uh, check it out, like, you know, go through the app because there’s a lot of resources in there as well. I’m not saying just download it and forget about it. Um, go through it because there, there are quite a few things in there. Um, more than I was expecting, honestly, when, when I, I got a quick overview, uh, of it, when, when I, we were in, uh, Atlanta at that, that conference.

Um, I was like, oh, okay, cool. It’s got a, got a few things. And I started going through it on my own and I was like, holy crap, there’s a lot of stuff in here. So, uh, it’s pretty comprehensive. So, so for sure, go, go check it out. And again, I’ll have those links in the show notes. Um, just go check it out there and, uh, you know, make it easy to, to find it.

So, um, that’s it. [00:44:00] Uh, Betsy, I want to thank you again for coming on the show and, and for everything that you’re doing with Object to Zero, because, uh, you know, like you said, it’s helping people, it’s saving lives, it’s, uh, Getting people off the streets, it’s getting people that the help and the support and resources that they need, uh, and when they need it in, in real time.

Um, and I think that’s, that’s important because when you have people who are in a crisis situation, time is of the essence and you cannot, Afford to waste time. Um, and so, so thank you for everything that you’re doing, uh, with this. I certainly hope that you, you keep it up and keep that out there because, uh, it is an important resource, important tool, uh, to have in our, our toolkit.

So thanks again.

Betsey Mercado: Thank you.