Using Video Testimonials to Promote Psychological Health in Warriors and their Families for Long-Term Wellness

In May 2009, the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) launched the Real Warriors Campaign, a multimedia public awareness initiative designed to encourage help-seeking behavior among service members and veterans with invisible wounds. The campaign features video testimonials of individuals who have overcome challenges associated with psychological health concerns to demonstrate that effective treatments work and educate service members about available tools and resources.

Prior to the campaign's launch, in-depth focus groups and one-on-one interviews were conducted with senior military leaders and service members from each military branch. The findings helped guide the development of 16 campaign videos and 19 public service announcements that feature service members and veterans who had the strength to reach out for treatment or care and are continuing to lead successful military and civilian careers.

In the video, “Real Warriors and Psychological Health,” real service members, veterans and military leadership discuss the importance of maintaining both physical and psychological fitness for warriors to serve at peak performance. The 30 minute video features nine service members and veterans who are proving through example that reaching out is a sign of strength that benefits service members, their families, their units, their services and their communities. Through their stories, members of the military community can learn about the importance of seeking care and support for invisible wounds and the tools and resources available to build and maintain lifelong psychological strength.

Participants will learn how the Real Warriors Campaign has utilized “Real Warriors and Psychological Health” to engage service members, veterans and military families. Most importantly, participants will take away best practices for using video testimonials as part of an overall campaign to encourage help-seeking behavior for invisible wounds and behaviors that promote lifelong wellness among members of the military community.