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The New VA Health Plan Is Second Life

Posted by Soulskill on from the not-reincarnation dept.

theodp writes "Remember when Catbert informed Dilbert that the new company health plan is Google? In another case of life imitating Dilbert, combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder are being provided with a US Army-sponsored virtual world in Second Life (slideshow) to help deal with their condition. Developed by USC's Institute for Creative Technologies, it is hoped that the veterans-only virtual world Coming Home and its planned activities will promote conversations that can help reduce PTSD. The Avatar will see you now, Sergeant."

6 of 54 comments (clear)

  1. I eagerly await... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    griefers with IEDs

  2. I'm not sure about this. by Shag · · Score: 2, Insightful

    People with PTSD have a hard time dealing with reality. I'm not sure that helping them escape from reality into some virtual world is really going to solve things.

    --
    Village idiot in some extremely smart villages.
  3. Why use Linden Labs? by machinelou · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I've been following a lot of similar stories recently and I don't understand why agencies and institutions wouldn't build on an opensource infrastructure that they can control (e.g., something like openlife). What happens if Linden labs goes belly-up?

  4. What's with the guys head? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I know that this is slightly off topic, but the character in the pictures is always looking down and to the left. Maybe he is severely depressed or something. I don't see a problem with trying this out, but their screenshots seemed rather depressing.

  5. As someone who has PTSD by TheBilgeRat · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I'd have to say it really is probably up to the individual soldier whether that will work for him or not. Everyone handles it differently, and self-medicates differently. Many of my old comrades cannot watch war-related movies or watch/play FPS video games like COD, GRAW, etc. I say go for it-if it helps just a few people it would be worth it.

  6. Re:Good idea, if you ask me. by redneckHippe · · Score: 2, Insightful

    As a Vet and a recovering addict, I think this is a great idea. I used to go to NA meetings on IRC back in the day and I used to have my own world in Activeworlds http://www.activeworlds.com/, where me and some friends would get together for a small meeting. It was great, especially when someone was out of town and couldn't make a meeting in meatspace. I'm surprised it's taken this long for the VA to figure this out. LD

    --
    It'll quit hurtin' once the pain stops.