How virtual reality can improve your mental health | Matt Vogl | TEDxMileHigh

Right now, 80% of Americans with a mental illness don’t get adequate care for it. In this fascinating and hilarious talk, former professional juggler & stand-up comedian Matt Vogl explains how he and his team at the National Mental Health Innovation Center use virtual reality to expand mental health access in maximum security prisons, hospice centers, and children's hospitals. Matt Vogl is the Executive Director and founder of the National Mental Health Innovation Center (NMHIC) at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus, where he leads a team to better treat and prevent mental illness. Previously, Matt was the Deputy Director of the University of Colorado Depression Center. He earned a BA from Marquette University and a Masters of Public Health from the University of Minnesota. Matt was a standup comic for 12 years and is a diehard St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. He has two sons with his amazing wife. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@DrBen1]

It is truly amazing how far we have come, and how far we have to go. Thank you for sharing the work and being a voice to get the word out!

[@toddmcguire732]

Great talk Matt! Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing your story...your team is doing awesome work inventing new models for improving our mental health!

[@kristinawentz8801]

He's a very good speaker. He came to my community college and did a talk. It really resonated with me as I suffer from depression.

[@brentbeatty4171]

Remember that cold showers if done correctly can help you

[@mattjbv]

That is very kind - thank you Kristina!

[@kristinawentz8801]

@@mattjbv Your talk really did resonate with me.

[@hkh8313]

I actually thought about this about 8 years back when playing fallout new vegas, but my idea was for problems like agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder doing things as you would in your normal everyday life like talking to people, driving, going out to grab some food and other simple things that some of us have problems with. Basically pre exposure therapy followed by real exposure therapy.

[@debbieryan5172]

Great talk, Matt! So good to see the amazing work you and your team are doing getting some publicity.

[@Tginn71]

Amazing! Thank you for the work you are doing!

[@Alexcision]

I'm totally with this guy,think it's amazing!! But idk if every single inmate should have this gift lol

[@Mary-bf1hx]

what about the use of VR for non prisoners - those who are struggling with PTSD or other types of mental health concerns like depression? This would be a great way to help some of our young adults who are dealing with these types of concerns in record numbers - is this being explored?

[@vickipriddle6874]

Still love you so, Matt, so I visit you once in a while. Just you and Uncle Bob (I read his obit).

[@petemoss3160]

the failings of the mental health system is probably the important part of this talk. VR is great, but wow do we have a messed up system... and everyone relies on it like it actually works.

[@laguna172]

Great talk -- fascinating VR applications for the future! Hope to see you speak more often!

[@TokinReapz]

Tremendous

[@hkh8313]

And I'm all for any type of treatment that doesn't involve medication because with meds you might get the desired effect but it seems like when it comes to meds they help you in one area but cause you problems in another, then they want to put you on another pill for the new problem which might help it but the cycle just repeats itself and causes yet another problem and continues until your a half dead zombie with 20 different meds...

[@pytle]

This is really interesting!

[@michaelschmidt7215]

I want to use VR in oncologic fitness..someone had tips for me ?

[@444NRG]

Send that meditation app

[@crowbaril903]

Whats that new vr i thjnk HTC had helped crate fkr this

[@thepursuitofhappiness2126]

You don’t need VR. You’ll get the same result from yoga, meditation and watching relaxation videos.

[@yamesotericist4188]

The Matrix is the only possibility for the existence of our world of illusions. The scenario of the Matrix is being imposed on the primitive half of the human bio-organism, which does not have its own intellect. In fact, the intellect is the Matrix. However, the Matrix does not speak English or any other language. Our consciousness can either only observe the performance of the Matrix, or being fully identified with its role, participate in it. The possibilities of influencing the scenario of the Matrix are extremely limited.

[@tartarfabio]

a trigger warning would have been nice..