Technology & Trauma

Technology for Research

The creation of new technologies and the adaptation of existing technologies are at the core of conducting cutting-edge research that will ultimately lead to the development of novel therapies to address the mental health needs of individuals who have survived trauma.

A few examples of the technologies used in Institute research are:

• Facial expression analysis
• Eye movement analysis
• Galvanic response analysis
• Heart rate monitoring
• Machine learning

Though the research division uses more specialized technologies that you might not see every day, more common technologies are essential for other aspects of work at the Institute.

Technology for Healing

Technology allows the Institute’s Healing division to help people who have experienced trauma recognize their physiological processes and better control them. Technology also helps the Institute expand mental health care services to people who would not have access otherwise, such as those individuals living in rural communities and people with disabilities who may not be able to leave their homes.

A few examples of technologies used by the Healing division are:

• HeartMath biofeedback system
• Electronic health record management
• Video conferencing platforms

Technology for Training

And for the Community Training and Empowerment division, technology is essential in providing a medium to amplify the dissemination of resilience-based training that helps individuals and communities build better mental health resilience across the world.

A few examples of the technologies used to provide training and empowerment opportunities are:

• Video storage & distribution service
• Email management & distribution technology
• Webinar streaming platform

Institute Technology Development

In addition to the various technologies utilized in the advancement of the Institute’s mission, there is also work underway in the development of new technologies that could one day change the way mental health services are delivered. Based on research related to the National Science Foundation funded EASE project and continuing efforts related to findings from the US Army Medical Research and Material Command, Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center funded SupportNet project, the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience is working to develop technologies to expand web-based mental health care to individuals who normally wouldn’t have access.    

The BRIGHT Program

The BRIGHT (Building Resilience after Injury: a Growth and Healing Toolkit) program is one example of the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience harnessing technology, and the Institute’s considerable technological expertise, to enhance population reach and participant engagement in our support programs and research initiatives.

The BRIGHT program is funded through a three-year grant from the Colorado Springs Health Foundation, and Dr. Kristi Samuelson is the Principal Investigator. The goal of BRIGHT is to provide support to people who have recently been injured and wish to build confidence and useful skills to better cope with their injury or the injury of a loved one. BRIGHT is in collaboration with a Level 1 Trauma Center in Colorado Springs, which speaks to the volume of individuals who could benefit from the program.

The BRIGHT team is using technology to maximize reach to this large population of recently injured individuals. Program participants have access to a psychoeducational website that provides information about injury recovery. Text message support will provide tips and fun facts and will link participants to the website when they wish to learn more about a topic. Participants’ symptoms and strengths will be monitored via email-based communication and electronic symptom screening, and those with the highest needs will be offered individualized support provided by team members from the Institute.