Maka Social

American Service Members are among the highest at-risk groups for developing a lasting mental illness as a result of their job, yet less than 30% of affected people seek help. This is often due to a combination of many factors, most importantly a training environment that encourages physical and mental toughness as well as limited patient-doctor confidentiality in the military. Doctors have the power to label a patient unfit for duty posing a very real threat to their career.

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In this environment, anything that can be done to offer support and prevention should be considered. Loneliness is the leading cause of acute depression and anxiety, and a strong social support system is one of the most effective buffers against stressors becoming triggers for mental illness.

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Military life where reassignments and deployments are commonplace is notorious for tearing servicemembers and their families away from their established social support systems and forcing them to build new ones quickly. Many have trouble adapting to these changes at all and many others may find new associations but fail to really find friends.

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Even within units where strong bonds do form, relationships are often built around the work in the “misery loves company sense.” This type of trauma bonding can often reinforce negativity rather than providing a relief valve for it. Conversely, bonding based on shared loves can increase unit cohesion in a positive way and boost morale.

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Our pricing for the military has yet to be negotiated but is likely to fall around $100 per battalion-sized unit or recreation facility. As our CEO is a veteran who cares deeply for veteran wellbeing, VA mental health services will be able to use Maka Social for much lower rates, and qualifying Non-Profit Veteran’s organizations will be able to use the service for free.