Veteran shares immersive technology with other Veterans

After three years of working from home post-pandemic, the effects of isolation were taking a toll on service-connected disabled Veteran Bernard Murphy. Seeking relief, he bought a virtual reality (VR) headset from a friend and explored the potential for immersive technology to help tackle his loneliness.

Murphy's transformative experience inspired him to help fellow Veterans who are suffering from similar feelings of depression and isolation, primarily in underserved areas.

"There are about 13,400 Veterans living at or below the poverty line in New York City. Two of my friends are in that category," he explained.

He has made it his personal mission to reach these individuals and introduce them to the possibilities that come from putting their heads in headsets and letting them know that VA Immersive is working to help make this technology more available to Veterans across VA.

Gaining the trust of other Veterans

Murphy's passion for helping fellow Veterans inspires him to meet them where they are, bringing his own headset and introducing them to various virtual activities. He knows that how immersive technology is introduced really matters, which is why he seeks to gain the trust of the Veterans and offer them an outlet.

When Murphy first put his own head in a headset, completely immersed in virtual reality, he did so without proper guidance and didn't have a particularly positive experience. After some research, he reintroduced himself more gradually through the less immersive approach of mixed reality, which he found has really worked for him.

Since then, Murphy has continued utilizing mixed reality when working with others and has received positive feedback from Veterans. "I cast the virtual program to my computer so I can actually guide them through the process. It's healing for them and it's healing for me," he shared.

Building a pipeline

Murphy discovered VA was offering immersive technology and is now spreading the word. He is expanding his own outreach efforts with a nonprofit. As he builds a team and secures more headsets, he hopes to increase awareness that fosters unique experiences.

Now knowing that these types of programs exist, Veterans can explore other opportunities with their VA clinicians, opening a door that leads to new opportunities to transform traditional methods of health care.

The future of immersive tech

For Murphy, the mission is personal and something he sees continuing to grow and become increasingly normal. "I can touch more Veterans like my friends who spend 90 percent of their time worrying about their next meal and if they have enough money or food stamps or whatever to get to the end of the month," he said.

He hopes he can give others the experience he has had with the endless possibilities that come with immersive environments. "I stopped drinking and my depression has lessened. I can travel, I can go places, I can learn things I've always wanted to do. I can actually do them," he added.

VA has deployed over 3,500 virtual reality (VR) headsets across more than 170 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and American Samoa, with over 40 documented use cases and over 10,000 Veteran experiences to date.

To learn more, visit the VA Immersive website and check out the YouTube playlist.

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