October 13, 2025 • 23 mins
A six-hour phone call changed everything. When a veteran in crisis found someone willing to listen through the night, a simple truth emerged: human connection can save lives. That moment sparked Objective Zero, a peer support network and free app that connects veterans, service members, families, and caregivers with trained volunteers in minutes—no stigma, no red tape, just fast, compassionate help from people who understand your world.
We speak with Executive Director and Co-Founder Betsy Mercado about how Objective Zero blends purpose with smart design. You’ll hear how users can instantly reach a Pathfinder or filter by branch, role, deployments, location, age, and more to find a fast “shortcut of trust.” For those not ready to talk, the app offers suicide and opioid screenings, a mood journal, and energy and symptom tracking—tools that meet you upstream, before crisis builds. Betsy also delves into volunteer onboarding, which includes 20+ hours of training in partnership with Strongstar and PsychArmor, as well as the global time zone coverage that makes the network truly 24/7.
We explore funding and sustainability—from an early Kickstarter to grants and recurring donors—plus a strong partnership with the VA’s Office of Suicide Prevention that helps more veterans enroll in the benefits they’ve earned. Betsy explains how Objective Zero protects privacy, shares anonymized insights responsibly, and invites ethical research to strengthen the field. And while AI supports sentiment analysis and product improvements behind the scenes, the mission remains human-first: technology should amplify empathy, not replace it.
If you care about veteran wellness, including struggles with sleep and insomnia, financial stress, and transition support, as well as evidence-based prevention, this conversation offers concrete steps and real hope. Download the Objective Zero app, share the link with someone you served with, and consider making a donation to help keep the network strong. Subscribe, leave a review, and help us spread the word so more people find support before a crisis hits.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Larry Zilliox (00:15):
Good morning.
I'm your host, Larry Zilliox,Director of Culinary Services
here at the Warrior Retreat atBull Run.
And this week our guest isBetsy Mercado.
She's the executive directorand a co-founder of an amazing
organization called ObjectiveZero.
And they are a nonprofitdedicated to combating military
(00:35):
and veteran suicide to aconnected peer support
community.
And they are one of the fewthat I know of organizations
that's managed to integratetechnology into the process and
into the veteran serviceorganization anti-suicide space
(00:57):
in such a way that uh it it'sreally amazing.
They've created a app that cango on your phone.
It's free, it's easy to use.
I'm convinced that it's it'ssaved lives.
It's it's that good.
I have it on my phone.
And so uh I asked uh Betsy tocome and join us and tell us
(01:17):
about the organization and theapp.
So if you would just tell ourlisteners a little bit about how
the organization got started.
I I understand that it was uhbasically the the brainchild of
your husband, who's a veteran,and uh his buddy, and and kind
(01:38):
of took off from there.
One thing I'm excited about isthat next year in 2026, I think
you'll be celebrating your10-year anniversary.
Betsey Mercado (01:46):
That's right.
Yes, 10 years next year.
And the idea from ObjectiveZero really came in the fall of
2014 when Justin Miller, one ofmy fellow co-founders, was
struggling with his transitionout of the army.
Justin did all the rightthings.
He reached out for help andcouldn't be seen uh w with a
provider for two days.
(02:08):
Luckily, Justin was sharing hisstruggles over Facebook, and my
husband, Chris, saw it andreached out to Justin.
And Chris is in the infantry,he only has the army provided
ACE training.
And so he knew to ask Justinabout suicide.
And Justin's response was hadhis weapon been loaded the night
(02:29):
before, they wouldn't betalking.
And so, I mean, how do yourespond to that?
You know, so Chris just keptJustin on the phone for over six
hours.
And Justin was just sharing hisstory, sharing his struggles,
and was in a much better place.
And so at the end of the call,Chris asked again, are you still
thinking about hurtingyourself?
And Justin's response was, Ifeel so much better.
(02:50):
I just needed someone tolisten.
And this is really what sparkedthe idea that the simple act of
listening can save lives.
And Chris really thought aboutit, wanted to see like how could
we replicate this at scale?
And so he had the idea, alongwith some of uh some amazing uh
co-founders of ours, to come upwith an Objective Zero app
because it really allows us toreach people where they are when
(03:12):
you use technology.
Larry Zilliox (03:14):
And how do you go about just making an app?
I mean, just did Chris orsomebody in the group, the
co-founders, have experience increating an app?
Or what what's the next stepthere?
Betsey Mercado (03:26):
Luckily, a couple of our folks uh
co-founders, like and KaylaBassett, had some tech
background and experience.
And so Chris brought togetherthis amazing experience with
mainly veterans and servicemembers, and then myself with a
spouse, and just really came upwith the idea for it.
And from there, we just startedfundraising and did a
(03:48):
Kickstarter to get us off theground to kind of create this my
uh minimal viable product andjust had such amazing buy-in
from not just the people, ourfriends and family, but kind of
the greater military communityat large because they saw this
was a a new and innovative wayto get people connected.
(04:09):
And at the time, I think thingswere a lot worse when it came
to veterans getting support andstigma, uh, service members
getting support and stigma.
And so a lot of amazing people,a lot of amazing support that
really helped us get off theground.
Larry Zilliox (04:24):
Kickstarter is an unusual funding platform,
mostly because everybody thatbrings something to Kickstarter
usually has a product, andsomebody gives them money based
on the product, and they'll beone of the first to get it, and
they think it's a great product.
But in your case, it wasstraight up donations.
(04:47):
You guys didn't have a product.
These people, how many peoplegave money through Kickstarter?
Do you remember?
Betsey Mercado (04:53):
It was over 400 people.
We raised $38,000 in a in amonth.
Wow.
And so um we we had someincentives, we did some some
challenge coins and somet-shirts and um some handwritten
letters as thank yous to everyperson that donated.
Uh, but I think when othersoutside of our our network and
(05:15):
our support system saw the valuein it, were willing to give,
that's how we really knew thatwe were on to something good.
Larry Zilliox (05:22):
Wow.
What's been the biggestchallenge?
I I'm I I'm certain thatcreating an app to deal with
mental health and peer supportis a challenge in and of itself.
But once you got the app up andrunning, what did you find was
the the biggest challenge forthe organization?
Is it getting the word out?
(05:43):
Is it constantly upgrading theapp?
Is it making sure that, youknow, there's enough peer
supporters, what what you guyscall pathfinders, which I really
like.
What was your biggestchallenge?
Betsey Mercado (05:53):
Yeah, we described one of our biggest
challenges at that point.
Objective zero was and is stilla very small team.
We have two full-timeemployees, a part-time, and we
really rely on the supportnetwork of our volunteers.
We have almost 3,000 of them inall 50 states and in 28
countries, which was somethingwe're really proud of.
And it's our our volunteersthat really allow us to make the
(06:17):
impact and difference so thatwhen we're getting funding,
whether from grants orindividual donors or wherever
that funding is coming in, wecan pour that into the
technology.
And so we're constantly uhimproving and building a new
update integration as technologyimproves and there's more
opportunities available for usto include evidence-based
(06:40):
informed tools and resources.
Larry Zilliox (06:43):
So describe for our listeners how the app
actually works.
I mean, I'm looking at it nowon my phone, and one of the
things that I like best about itis right up front, the very
first thing you say is you seeis contact a Pathfinder, which
is basically, you know.
Hit this button and talk to getsome peer support.
(07:06):
How how does it work um forjust our listeners?
They don't, you know, maybethey're not you know all that
proficient with their phone,especially when you're talking
about somebody, such as myself,a little bit older veteran.
But what what what is it?
What what do they have to do toget the app?
Betsey Mercado (07:27):
The app is available, the Objective Zero
app is available on Google Playand Apple App Store.
It's free to download, it'sfree to use, and you really
wanted to make it as simple aspossible to get connected to
support.
So when you download the app,um all you need to provide is a
handle and your email address.
And then from there you canprovide as much or as little
information as you want.
(07:48):
You can build a profile, andwhen you build a profile, it
really helps us match you toother pathfinders.
And that's something that'sreally special about Objective
Zero because we have over about3,000 people willing to provide
support.
Our our community members, ourapp users, have the ability to
either tap one button andconnect to that first pathfinder
(08:11):
that's available, or they canfilter through our network to
find someone most like them.
And some of these filterableoptions include your age,
gender, your location, branch ofservice, your connection to the
military, because we alsoinclude not just service members
and veterans, but theirfamilies and caregivers and
(08:31):
those that support veterans, um,as well as your military
specialty while you served,where you deployed to, and the
units that you've served in.
And so for us, we've learnedthat when you're able to connect
to someone that has a similarbackground, it creates this
shortcut of trust.
We have, like I said, so manythousands of people available,
willing to talk on their owntime.
(08:52):
They're there because they wantto help and support others.
Larry Zilliox (08:56):
And how does a veteran go about volunteering to
be a Pathfinder peer supporter?
Betsey Mercado (09:05):
Can can come and volunteer if you're looking to
give support.
We you go to our website,objectivezero.org, and you hit
the give support button, and youcan sign up through our
website, and we um do someonboarding, some one-on-one
onboarding, and then we provideover 20 hours of training.
And that's kind of from yourbasic uh baseline suicide
(09:27):
prevention training, like up uhoperation say that the the BA
has uh everything to crisisresponse plan training and
lethal means safety, and thoseare virtual live courses that uh
we do in uh in partnership withthe Strongstar Institute.
And so you can do training outon your own uh through our
(09:50):
portal at PsychArmor, and thenwe offer uh additional
opportunities to get moretraining so that we have our
Pathfinders as comfortable aspossible as they take the calls
and texts from those reachingout for support.
Larry Zilliox (10:05):
Talk a little bit about, well, first of all,
listeners, the webpage isobjectivezero.org,
objectivezero.org.
I want everybody to go to it.
Uh there's a lot more therethan just the app, okay?
There's resources, uh, there'straining.
(10:26):
There's a tremendous amount onthe webpage.
So I want everybody to to go tothe webpage, check it out, see
what's on there, uh post in yoursocial media about the webpage
and the resources that arethere, and post links to the app
so other veterans learn aboutit.
(10:46):
And my regular listeners aregonna know what I'm gonna say
right now is that up in thatright hand corner where it's
usually a red button, it'sactually a white button.
And it says donate.
And so bang on that button andgive what you can.
This uh app is amazing, and Ican't even imagine what it costs
to keep it up and running.
(11:07):
But uh this organization isalmost ready to celebrate their
10th anniversary.
So certainly somebody's beenaround for a while.
They will spend your moneywisely, and so please, please
hit the donate button and givewhat you can, and then spread
the word about the organizationas well.
Uh, when it comes to funding,what what are your main sources
(11:31):
of funding?
Betsey Mercado (11:32):
Currently, it's mostly grant funding.
We work in the states ofMaryland and Virginia.
Uh, we have some greatrecurring donors from CTIA
Wireless Foundation, Donce BalorFoundation, and then we get
some additional support fromorganizations like Amazon.
We're part of Face the FightCoalition and have received
(11:55):
money, money from thatorganization as well, so that we
can maintain and improveevidence-based features within
the app.
And uh, one thing that I didnot mention, if you don't mind
me just adding really quick, inaddition to the peer support
within the app, we have a hostof tools and training and
resources.
So if you're looking forresources that kind of address
(12:17):
many of the everyday stressorsthat our service and veterans
face, we have suicidescreenings, opioid screenings,
and a mood journal and symptomand energy tracker as well.
So if you're not looking forpeer support, you may be looking
for a tool that can just helpyou with your everyday wellness.
You can use the Objective Zeroapp for that as well.
Larry Zilliox (12:38):
Let's talk a little bit about you're
collecting all this informationfrom all of these veterans that
are calling that need help.
And are you able to use itanonymously for evidence-based
research?
Betsey Mercado (12:52):
At this point, we have not.
Um, we provide anonymized datato some of our partners, um, to
the VA so they they understandsome of the issues that the
veterans are reaching out areusing, um, or the issues that
they're experiencing.
And so we're open to workingwith uh a university researcher
(13:15):
so that we can provide this databecause we want to use it for
good.
Uh we don't we don't sell ourdata, we it's kept in-house.
And um, so it's reallyimportant for us to keep that
data private and secure, but weknow that there are some amazing
ways that we can use it.
So uh, you know, if anyone'slistening that is interested in
working with us on doing aresearch product, research
(13:37):
study, uh, we would absolutelylove that as well.
Larry Zilliox (13:41):
Have you gotten any feedback from the VA that
that where they've come back andsaid this is very valuable,
here's what we found.
Betsey Mercado (13:49):
An amazing relationship with the VA,
especially with the Office ofSuicide Prevention.
And so we work with their teamum kind of on a quarterly basis,
sharing uh different resourcesand such.
Um, we're a community partnerof the VA, so they're actually
sharing this with the veteranswithin the VA system.
And one of our goals isactually how can we get more
(14:09):
veterans enrolled in VAbenefits, those amazing benefits
they've earned that maybethey're hesitant or you know,
they they don't know what'savailable to them.
And so that's one of our goalsas well, is make sure that we're
getting uh those veterans andservice members reaching out
connected to the things thatthey've earned and are available
to them.
Larry Zilliox (14:30):
How do you do that?
How how do you use something onthe app which, you know, like a
pop-up and said, hey, have youregistered with the VA?
Or how do you push that towardsthem?
Betsey Mercado (14:43):
Actually, recently introduced at the
beginning of the year, I guessabout 10 months ago, a dynamic
social needs assessment.
So when you download the app,you have the opportunity to fill
it out.
And so one of the things thatwe're looking at is how many
people are connected to the VA.
And even in conversations fromour community members with that
Pathfinder, one of the goals ofour Pathfinders is understanding
(15:06):
the needs and helping veteransget connected to additional
resources should they need them.
And so a lot of it is livedexperience on behalf of our
Pathfinders because most of themhave already transitioned out
and have experienced it.
And if we can't help them, wecan get them connected to other
resources that do help usbenefit.
So what you know, whether it'sa VA or another organization.
Larry Zilliox (15:28):
What do you see as far as trending models for
veteran suicide?
Do you see it leveling off ordecreasing?
I mean, where we really onlyhave the VA statistics to go on
each year, other than OperationDeep Dive, but that's almost
four years old now.
What do you guys as anorganization see when you're
(15:50):
looking at your data internally?
What are you seeing?
Betsey Mercado (15:54):
That's a fantastic question.
We're seeing more peoplereaching out for support, and I
think that's a good thing.
And on top of that, they'rereaching out before they're in
crisis.
And I think that's somethingthat we're doing, I think a
great job of in terms of ourmarketing that we're we want to
make sure that we can addressthese issues when they're one of
the small problems.
You know, maybe it's I'mtransitioning and I don't know
(16:17):
where to do, you know, I don'tknow where to look to help guide
my career after the military.
We can get them connected to aplace like Onward Ops that does
amazing career coaching and forpost-transition.
You know, I'm really strugglingto make ends meet.
Let, you know, let's see wherewe can find some local resources
or national resources to getsomeone connected to immediate
(16:39):
financial support because weknow specifically when it comes
to finances, if a veteran missesa mortgage payment or their car
has been repossessed, they'reat tremendously higher risk of
suicide.
And so I I think I see ittrending that we're helping
people quicker more upstream ofthe problem.
Larry Zilliox (17:00):
What impact do you do you see AI having on your
particular app, but on justbeing able to deliver some sort
of technological solutions tothis issue?
Betsey Mercado (17:14):
I think technology is amazing.
And I also want to caveat itthat I don't think technology is
ever going to replicate orreplace human connection, nor
should it.
And so for us at ObjectiveZero, it's really important that
we are focused on on theperson.
Humans are more important thanhardware or software.
(17:34):
And so for us, we're using AIin a way that accompany the
tools and the training and theresources that we're providing.
So we're using AI kind of onour back end in a way that's uh
doing sentiment analysis onconversations.
We're doing analysis on theneeds assessment and how
(17:57):
someone's using the app so thatwe can incur increase usage,
that we can provide the tools,the resources that are needed
that maybe we don't havecurrently within the app.
And so for us, it's how can weuse AI for good?
How do we use technology forgood with with keeping that
human-centric approach kind ofat the forefront of everything
(18:18):
we do?
Larry Zilliox (18:19):
And when you look at the veterans that are using
the app and reaching out forhelp, what do you see is the the
number one issue that they comeneeding help with?
Betsey Mercado (18:32):
One of the biggest ones lately has been
issues with sleep and insomnia.
Uh many people are reaching outlate at night, early morning
because they can't sleep.
And so, and that could be tiedto you know a number of factors
to include post-traumaticstress.
They they can't sleep becauseof nightmares, or you know, they
they've got a lot on theirmind, or simply they're just
(18:54):
lonely and they can't sleep andthey just need that that
connection to someone.
And so it varies over time, youknow.
Sometimes it's financial issuesor relationship issues, or we
have family members that arereaching out on behalf of a
veteran because they just don'tknow how to best support them.
And so it really does vary.
Larry Zilliox (19:14):
How do you handle that from a Pathfinder
perspective?
Do you have Pathfinders stayingup all night in case there's a
call, or how does that work?
I mean, most people, volunteersthat I know are asleep at
night.
So how does it work?
Betsey Mercado (19:31):
The wonderful thing about our volunteers is
that they're located across theworld.
And so I have um being, youknow, in in America, I have
helped a service member inKorea.
I have supported someone inAustralia because of the time
zones and the and the timechanges that volunteer network
really does activate in a waythat we couldn't as a paid
(19:53):
staff.
And so that's really what keepsus uh available 24-7 is people
around the world willing tosupport us.
Larry Zilliox (20:01):
Wow.
Where do you see objective zeroin five to seven years?
Betsey Mercado (20:07):
Fantastic question.
You know, one of the goals forobjective zero is this point of
functional zero.
And that is the point at whicha person's service or connection
to the military is no longer adistinguishing factor in
suicide.
And for us, it really is how dowe find ways to ensure that
(20:27):
because someone has served, it'snot that additional risk
factor.
And so for us, it really isgrowing to better support those
that have served.
And so it's going to be doing alot of outreach over the next
couple of years.
And it's also trying to staykind of in line with the
technological advances.
And as more research comesavailable and as more tools pop
(20:49):
up, you know, integrating thosein a way that is helpful and not
harmful, and really doessupport our service members,
veterans, and family members.
Larry Zilliox (20:59):
Well, listeners, the webpage is
objectivezero.org.
Want everybody to visit thewebpage, spread the word, and
you guys are part of the uhmarketing, really.
Um, once you go, look at theresources, think about those you
served with and forward thatlink and say, hey, um, check
(21:24):
this out and ask them to forwardthe link and share it on social
media.
And while you're there, hitthat donate button.
But this is uh an amazingorganization that's in the
veteran service organizationspace that's doing something
that I don't think any otherorganization is doing.
This app is really the goldstandard when it comes to
(21:48):
finding a way to use technologyto help combat veteran uh
military suicide.
And the fact that anybodymilitary connected can log on,
download it, and use it.
And let's not forget, we have mmany active duty service
members that take their ownlife.
We have dependents.
(22:09):
I think the last numbers I sawfrom DOD was 45 dependents from
teenage up to adult spouse tooktheir own lives in one year.
And so this needs to be aresource that everybody is aware
of because they have thecapacity to help.
There's no limit as to numberof people who can log on.
(22:31):
And so please, please get thatlink to the webpage out there
and share it and donate andreally do whatever you can to
get the word out.
Well, Betsy, listen, I can'tthank you enough for coming on
and and explaining everything toour listeners.
Uh this is such a valuableresource.
(22:52):
It's it's really been apleasure to speak with you.
Speaker 02 (22:54):
It was wonderful talking with you, Larry, as
well.
Thank you so much for forallowing me to share Objective
Zero with you and all of yourlisteners.
Larry Zilliox (23:01):
Well, listeners, we'll have another episode next
Monday morning at 0500.
If you have any questions orsuggestions, you can reach us at
podcast at willingwarriors.org.
You can find us on all themajor podcast platforms.
We're on YouTube and WreathsAcross America Radio.
Until then, thanks forlistening.
Good morning.
I'm your host, Larry Zilliox,Director of Culinary Services
here at the Warrior Retreat atBull Run.
And this week our guest isBetsy Mercado.
She's the executive directorand a co-founder of an amazing
organization called ObjectiveZero.
And they are a nonprofitdedicated to combating military
(00:35):
and veteran suicide to aconnected peer support
community.
And they are one of the fewthat I know of organizations
that's managed to integratetechnology into the process and
into the veteran serviceorganization anti-suicide space
(00:57):
in such a way that uh it it'sreally amazing.
They've created a app that cango on your phone.
It's free, it's easy to use.
I'm convinced that it's it'ssaved lives.
It's it's that good.
I have it on my phone.
And so uh I asked uh Betsy tocome and join us and tell us
(01:17):
about the organization and theapp.
So if you would just tell ourlisteners a little bit about how
the organization got started.
I I understand that it was uhbasically the the brainchild of
your husband, who's a veteran,and uh his buddy, and and kind
(01:38):
of took off from there.
One thing I'm excited about isthat next year in 2026, I think
you'll be celebrating your10-year anniversary.
Betsey Mercado (01:46):
That's right.
Yes, 10 years next year.
And the idea from ObjectiveZero really came in the fall of
2014 when Justin Miller, one ofmy fellow co-founders, was
struggling with his transitionout of the army.
Justin did all the rightthings.
He reached out for help andcouldn't be seen uh w with a
provider for two days.
(02:08):
Luckily, Justin was sharing hisstruggles over Facebook, and my
husband, Chris, saw it andreached out to Justin.
And Chris is in the infantry,he only has the army provided
ACE training.
And so he knew to ask Justinabout suicide.
And Justin's response was hadhis weapon been loaded the night
(02:29):
before, they wouldn't betalking.
And so, I mean, how do yourespond to that?
You know, so Chris just keptJustin on the phone for over six
hours.
And Justin was just sharing hisstory, sharing his struggles,
and was in a much better place.
And so at the end of the call,Chris asked again, are you still
thinking about hurtingyourself?
And Justin's response was, Ifeel so much better.
(02:50):
I just needed someone tolisten.
And this is really what sparkedthe idea that the simple act of
listening can save lives.
And Chris really thought aboutit, wanted to see like how could
we replicate this at scale?
And so he had the idea, alongwith some of uh some amazing uh
co-founders of ours, to come upwith an Objective Zero app
because it really allows us toreach people where they are when
(03:12):
you use technology.
Larry Zilliox (03:14):
And how do you go about just making an app?
I mean, just did Chris orsomebody in the group, the
co-founders, have experience increating an app?
Or what what's the next stepthere?
Betsey Mercado (03:26):
Luckily, a couple of our folks uh
co-founders, like and KaylaBassett, had some tech
background and experience.
And so Chris brought togetherthis amazing experience with
mainly veterans and servicemembers, and then myself with a
spouse, and just really came upwith the idea for it.
And from there, we just startedfundraising and did a
(03:48):
Kickstarter to get us off theground to kind of create this my
uh minimal viable product andjust had such amazing buy-in
from not just the people, ourfriends and family, but kind of
the greater military communityat large because they saw this
was a a new and innovative wayto get people connected.
(04:09):
And at the time, I think thingswere a lot worse when it came
to veterans getting support andstigma, uh, service members
getting support and stigma.
And so a lot of amazing people,a lot of amazing support that
really helped us get off theground.
Larry Zilliox (04:24):
Kickstarter is an unusual funding platform,
mostly because everybody thatbrings something to Kickstarter
usually has a product, andsomebody gives them money based
on the product, and they'll beone of the first to get it, and
they think it's a great product.
But in your case, it wasstraight up donations.
(04:47):
You guys didn't have a product.
These people, how many peoplegave money through Kickstarter?
Do you remember?
Betsey Mercado (04:53):
It was over 400 people.
We raised $38,000 in a in amonth.
Wow.
And so um we we had someincentives, we did some some
challenge coins and somet-shirts and um some handwritten
letters as thank yous to everyperson that donated.
Uh, but I think when othersoutside of our our network and
(05:15):
our support system saw the valuein it, were willing to give,
that's how we really knew thatwe were on to something good.
Larry Zilliox (05:22):
Wow.
What's been the biggestchallenge?
I I'm I I'm certain thatcreating an app to deal with
mental health and peer supportis a challenge in and of itself.
But once you got the app up andrunning, what did you find was
the the biggest challenge forthe organization?
Is it getting the word out?
(05:43):
Is it constantly upgrading theapp?
Is it making sure that, youknow, there's enough peer
supporters, what what you guyscall pathfinders, which I really
like.
What was your biggestchallenge?
Betsey Mercado (05:53):
Yeah, we described one of our biggest
challenges at that point.
Objective zero was and is stilla very small team.
We have two full-timeemployees, a part-time, and we
really rely on the supportnetwork of our volunteers.
We have almost 3,000 of them inall 50 states and in 28
countries, which was somethingwe're really proud of.
And it's our our volunteersthat really allow us to make the
(06:17):
impact and difference so thatwhen we're getting funding,
whether from grants orindividual donors or wherever
that funding is coming in, wecan pour that into the
technology.
And so we're constantly uhimproving and building a new
update integration as technologyimproves and there's more
opportunities available for usto include evidence-based
(06:40):
informed tools and resources.
Larry Zilliox (06:43):
So describe for our listeners how the app
actually works.
I mean, I'm looking at it nowon my phone, and one of the
things that I like best about itis right up front, the very
first thing you say is you seeis contact a Pathfinder, which
is basically, you know.
Hit this button and talk to getsome peer support.
(07:06):
How how does it work um forjust our listeners?
They don't, you know, maybethey're not you know all that
proficient with their phone,especially when you're talking
about somebody, such as myself,a little bit older veteran.
But what what what is it?
What what do they have to do toget the app?
Betsey Mercado (07:27):
The app is available, the Objective Zero
app is available on Google Playand Apple App Store.
It's free to download, it'sfree to use, and you really
wanted to make it as simple aspossible to get connected to
support.
So when you download the app,um all you need to provide is a
handle and your email address.
And then from there you canprovide as much or as little
information as you want.
(07:48):
You can build a profile, andwhen you build a profile, it
really helps us match you toother pathfinders.
And that's something that'sreally special about Objective
Zero because we have over about3,000 people willing to provide
support.
Our our community members, ourapp users, have the ability to
either tap one button andconnect to that first pathfinder
(08:11):
that's available, or they canfilter through our network to
find someone most like them.
And some of these filterableoptions include your age,
gender, your location, branch ofservice, your connection to the
military, because we alsoinclude not just service members
and veterans, but theirfamilies and caregivers and
(08:31):
those that support veterans, um,as well as your military
specialty while you served,where you deployed to, and the
units that you've served in.
And so for us, we've learnedthat when you're able to connect
to someone that has a similarbackground, it creates this
shortcut of trust.
We have, like I said, so manythousands of people available,
willing to talk on their owntime.
(08:52):
They're there because they wantto help and support others.
Larry Zilliox (08:56):
And how does a veteran go about volunteering to
be a Pathfinder peer supporter?
Betsey Mercado (09:05):
Can can come and volunteer if you're looking to
give support.
We you go to our website,objectivezero.org, and you hit
the give support button, and youcan sign up through our
website, and we um do someonboarding, some one-on-one
onboarding, and then we provideover 20 hours of training.
And that's kind of from yourbasic uh baseline suicide
(09:27):
prevention training, like up uhoperation say that the the BA
has uh everything to crisisresponse plan training and
lethal means safety, and thoseare virtual live courses that uh
we do in uh in partnership withthe Strongstar Institute.
And so you can do training outon your own uh through our
(09:50):
portal at PsychArmor, and thenwe offer uh additional
opportunities to get moretraining so that we have our
Pathfinders as comfortable aspossible as they take the calls
and texts from those reachingout for support.
Larry Zilliox (10:05):
Talk a little bit about, well, first of all,
listeners, the webpage isobjectivezero.org,
objectivezero.org.
I want everybody to go to it.
Uh there's a lot more therethan just the app, okay?
There's resources, uh, there'straining.
(10:26):
There's a tremendous amount onthe webpage.
So I want everybody to to go tothe webpage, check it out, see
what's on there, uh post in yoursocial media about the webpage
and the resources that arethere, and post links to the app
so other veterans learn aboutit.
(10:46):
And my regular listeners aregonna know what I'm gonna say
right now is that up in thatright hand corner where it's
usually a red button, it'sactually a white button.
And it says donate.
And so bang on that button andgive what you can.
This uh app is amazing, and Ican't even imagine what it costs
to keep it up and running.
(11:07):
But uh this organization isalmost ready to celebrate their
10th anniversary.
So certainly somebody's beenaround for a while.
They will spend your moneywisely, and so please, please
hit the donate button and givewhat you can, and then spread
the word about the organizationas well.
Uh, when it comes to funding,what what are your main sources
(11:31):
of funding?
Betsey Mercado (11:32):
Currently, it's mostly grant funding.
We work in the states ofMaryland and Virginia.
Uh, we have some greatrecurring donors from CTIA
Wireless Foundation, Donce BalorFoundation, and then we get
some additional support fromorganizations like Amazon.
We're part of Face the FightCoalition and have received
(11:55):
money, money from thatorganization as well, so that we
can maintain and improveevidence-based features within
the app.
And uh, one thing that I didnot mention, if you don't mind
me just adding really quick, inaddition to the peer support
within the app, we have a hostof tools and training and
resources.
So if you're looking forresources that kind of address
(12:17):
many of the everyday stressorsthat our service and veterans
face, we have suicidescreenings, opioid screenings,
and a mood journal and symptomand energy tracker as well.
So if you're not looking forpeer support, you may be looking
for a tool that can just helpyou with your everyday wellness.
You can use the Objective Zeroapp for that as well.
Larry Zilliox (12:38):
Let's talk a little bit about you're
collecting all this informationfrom all of these veterans that
are calling that need help.
And are you able to use itanonymously for evidence-based
research?
Betsey Mercado (12:52):
At this point, we have not.
Um, we provide anonymized datato some of our partners, um, to
the VA so they they understandsome of the issues that the
veterans are reaching out areusing, um, or the issues that
they're experiencing.
And so we're open to workingwith uh a university researcher
(13:15):
so that we can provide this databecause we want to use it for
good.
Uh we don't we don't sell ourdata, we it's kept in-house.
And um, so it's reallyimportant for us to keep that
data private and secure, but weknow that there are some amazing
ways that we can use it.
So uh, you know, if anyone'slistening that is interested in
working with us on doing aresearch product, research
(13:37):
study, uh, we would absolutelylove that as well.
Larry Zilliox (13:41):
Have you gotten any feedback from the VA that
that where they've come back andsaid this is very valuable,
here's what we found.
Betsey Mercado (13:49):
An amazing relationship with the VA,
especially with the Office ofSuicide Prevention.
And so we work with their teamum kind of on a quarterly basis,
sharing uh different resourcesand such.
Um, we're a community partnerof the VA, so they're actually
sharing this with the veteranswithin the VA system.
And one of our goals isactually how can we get more
(14:09):
veterans enrolled in VAbenefits, those amazing benefits
they've earned that maybethey're hesitant or you know,
they they don't know what'savailable to them.
And so that's one of our goalsas well, is make sure that we're
getting uh those veterans andservice members reaching out
connected to the things thatthey've earned and are available
to them.
Larry Zilliox (14:30):
How do you do that?
How how do you use something onthe app which, you know, like a
pop-up and said, hey, have youregistered with the VA?
Or how do you push that towardsthem?
Betsey Mercado (14:43):
Actually, recently introduced at the
beginning of the year, I guessabout 10 months ago, a dynamic
social needs assessment.
So when you download the app,you have the opportunity to fill
it out.
And so one of the things thatwe're looking at is how many
people are connected to the VA.
And even in conversations fromour community members with that
Pathfinder, one of the goals ofour Pathfinders is understanding
(15:06):
the needs and helping veteransget connected to additional
resources should they need them.
And so a lot of it is livedexperience on behalf of our
Pathfinders because most of themhave already transitioned out
and have experienced it.
And if we can't help them, wecan get them connected to other
resources that do help usbenefit.
So what you know, whether it'sa VA or another organization.
Larry Zilliox (15:28):
What do you see as far as trending models for
veteran suicide?
Do you see it leveling off ordecreasing?
I mean, where we really onlyhave the VA statistics to go on
each year, other than OperationDeep Dive, but that's almost
four years old now.
What do you guys as anorganization see when you're
(15:50):
looking at your data internally?
What are you seeing?
Betsey Mercado (15:54):
That's a fantastic question.
We're seeing more peoplereaching out for support, and I
think that's a good thing.
And on top of that, they'rereaching out before they're in
crisis.
And I think that's somethingthat we're doing, I think a
great job of in terms of ourmarketing that we're we want to
make sure that we can addressthese issues when they're one of
the small problems.
You know, maybe it's I'mtransitioning and I don't know
(16:17):
where to do, you know, I don'tknow where to look to help guide
my career after the military.
We can get them connected to aplace like Onward Ops that does
amazing career coaching and forpost-transition.
You know, I'm really strugglingto make ends meet.
Let, you know, let's see wherewe can find some local resources
or national resources to getsomeone connected to immediate
(16:39):
financial support because weknow specifically when it comes
to finances, if a veteran missesa mortgage payment or their car
has been repossessed, they'reat tremendously higher risk of
suicide.
And so I I think I see ittrending that we're helping
people quicker more upstream ofthe problem.
Larry Zilliox (17:00):
What impact do you do you see AI having on your
particular app, but on justbeing able to deliver some sort
of technological solutions tothis issue?
Betsey Mercado (17:14):
I think technology is amazing.
And I also want to caveat itthat I don't think technology is
ever going to replicate orreplace human connection, nor
should it.
And so for us at ObjectiveZero, it's really important that
we are focused on on theperson.
Humans are more important thanhardware or software.
(17:34):
And so for us, we're using AIin a way that accompany the
tools and the training and theresources that we're providing.
So we're using AI kind of onour back end in a way that's uh
doing sentiment analysis onconversations.
We're doing analysis on theneeds assessment and how
(17:57):
someone's using the app so thatwe can incur increase usage,
that we can provide the tools,the resources that are needed
that maybe we don't havecurrently within the app.
And so for us, it's how can weuse AI for good?
How do we use technology forgood with with keeping that
human-centric approach kind ofat the forefront of everything
(18:18):
we do?
Larry Zilliox (18:19):
And when you look at the veterans that are using
the app and reaching out forhelp, what do you see is the the
number one issue that they comeneeding help with?
Betsey Mercado (18:32):
One of the biggest ones lately has been
issues with sleep and insomnia.
Uh many people are reaching outlate at night, early morning
because they can't sleep.
And so, and that could be tiedto you know a number of factors
to include post-traumaticstress.
They they can't sleep becauseof nightmares, or you know, they
they've got a lot on theirmind, or simply they're just
(18:54):
lonely and they can't sleep andthey just need that that
connection to someone.
And so it varies over time, youknow.
Sometimes it's financial issuesor relationship issues, or we
have family members that arereaching out on behalf of a
veteran because they just don'tknow how to best support them.
And so it really does vary.
Larry Zilliox (19:14):
How do you handle that from a Pathfinder
perspective?
Do you have Pathfinders stayingup all night in case there's a
call, or how does that work?
I mean, most people, volunteersthat I know are asleep at
night.
So how does it work?
Betsey Mercado (19:31):
The wonderful thing about our volunteers is
that they're located across theworld.
And so I have um being, youknow, in in America, I have
helped a service member inKorea.
I have supported someone inAustralia because of the time
zones and the and the timechanges that volunteer network
really does activate in a waythat we couldn't as a paid
(19:53):
staff.
And so that's really what keepsus uh available 24-7 is people
around the world willing tosupport us.
Larry Zilliox (20:01):
Wow.
Where do you see objective zeroin five to seven years?
Betsey Mercado (20:07):
Fantastic question.
You know, one of the goals forobjective zero is this point of
functional zero.
And that is the point at whicha person's service or connection
to the military is no longer adistinguishing factor in
suicide.
And for us, it really is how dowe find ways to ensure that
(20:27):
because someone has served, it'snot that additional risk
factor.
And so for us, it really isgrowing to better support those
that have served.
And so it's going to be doing alot of outreach over the next
couple of years.
And it's also trying to staykind of in line with the
technological advances.
And as more research comesavailable and as more tools pop
(20:49):
up, you know, integrating thosein a way that is helpful and not
harmful, and really doessupport our service members,
veterans, and family members.
Larry Zilliox (20:59):
Well, listeners, the webpage is
objectivezero.org.
Want everybody to visit thewebpage, spread the word, and
you guys are part of the uhmarketing, really.
Um, once you go, look at theresources, think about those you
served with and forward thatlink and say, hey, um, check
(21:24):
this out and ask them to forwardthe link and share it on social
media.
And while you're there, hitthat donate button.
But this is uh an amazingorganization that's in the
veteran service organizationspace that's doing something
that I don't think any otherorganization is doing.
This app is really the goldstandard when it comes to
(21:48):
finding a way to use technologyto help combat veteran uh
military suicide.
And the fact that anybodymilitary connected can log on,
download it, and use it.
And let's not forget, we have mmany active duty service
members that take their ownlife.
We have dependents.
(22:09):
I think the last numbers I sawfrom DOD was 45 dependents from
teenage up to adult spouse tooktheir own lives in one year.
And so this needs to be aresource that everybody is aware
of because they have thecapacity to help.
There's no limit as to numberof people who can log on.
(22:31):
And so please, please get thatlink to the webpage out there
and share it and donate andreally do whatever you can to
get the word out.
Well, Betsy, listen, I can'tthank you enough for coming on
and and explaining everything toour listeners.
Uh this is such a valuableresource.
(22:52):
It's it's really been apleasure to speak with you.
Speaker 02 (22:54):
It was wonderful talking with you, Larry, as
well.
Thank you so much for forallowing me to share Objective
Zero with you and all of yourlisteners.
Larry Zilliox (23:01):
Well, listeners, we'll have another episode next
Monday morning at 0500.
If you have any questions orsuggestions, you can reach us at
podcast at willingwarriors.org.
You can find us on all themajor podcast platforms.
We're on YouTube and WreathsAcross America Radio.
Until then, thanks forlistening.
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