To begin, I'd like to thank all of you who took the time to check out the site. More importantly, I want to thank you for taking the time to provide us with feedback. I will try to respond as best I am able to the various points you have brought up. Before I start though, I want to issue a disclaimer of sorts, which is that we are simply trying to offer another resource, not the resource. I would love to have the ability to appeal to, and aid every individual veteran out there who is suffering or dealing with issues, but that's not realistic unfortunately.
First, I would like to address the sound effects, and for better or worse, their part in the program. They are intended to make the program more engaging, and for lack of a better word, entertaining. I absolutely understand that they will turn many people away, and unfortunately many of those will be the individuals who need the assistance. All we can do is hope that those who are turned off to it immediately will find the outlet they need somewhere else. Hopefully those who aren't turned off to it though, will find it holds their attention a little better than the endless power point presentations about mental health that many of us were subjected to in the service.
As for the focus on recently returning veterans, that again was a choice which was made to gear our efforts towards a particular group of veterans. We certainly wouldn't turn anyone away just because they aren't separating from the service right now, but it is definitely geared more towards veterans who are just getting out.
Next are the numerous questions. This is a tool designed to engage and help provide us with a better idea of how to assist. I am sure that there will be a good number who are turned off by this line of questioning, and again, all I can hope is that they will find the assistance they need from another organization that approaches things differently.
Overall, what I am gathering from your answers, is that our heart is in the right place. This is all well and good, but only goes so far. I truly appreciate your suggestions and will run them up the chain, along with some of my own, and others as the site continues to operate. I will, hopefully, be able to secure some of the changes needed to help appeal to a broader collection of veterans.
I'd also like to address the comments that the program is perceived to be geared towards a different group of veterans than what many of the individuals on this site fall into. As with any new program, the initial hurdle is raising awareness. It wass this goal of awareness that brought me to ask Anthony for permission to post on here in the first place. For those of you who have already found a good outlet on here which helps you manage things, then I'm happy for you and wouldn't dream of trying to convince you to leave. We are simply trying to offer up options, in the hope that when it's all said and done, every veteran will have somewhere to turn.
Thanks again for your input, it is greatly appreciated and will only help us in our goal.
Jason
