description Virtual Hope Box Overview
Virtual Hope Box is a mobile mental-health application created through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for people dealing with emotional distress, stress, and suicidal thoughts. It provides guided coping tools, relaxation exercises, distraction activities, positive reminders, and contact information that users can save for support.
The app is a self-help aid and is not a replacement for emergency care or professional treatment.
help Virtual Hope Box FAQ
What is Virtual Hope Box and who is it for?
Virtual Hope Box is a smartphone coping app developed within the U.S. military and Veterans Affairs behavioral-health system. It is designed as an accessory to treatment for people dealing with distress, stress, difficult thoughts, or suicidal feelings, not as a replacement for professional care. [Health.mil fact sheet](https://www.health.mil/Reference-Center/Fact-Sheets/2025/05/29/Virtual-Hope-Box-App-Fact-Sheet)
What tools are inside Virtual Hope Box?
Its core sections include Remind Me, Distract Me, Inspire Me, Relax Me, and coping tools. They include relaxation exercises, distraction activities, positive reminders, and personalized coping cards. [VA research summary](https://www.hsrd.va.gov/research/citations/PubBriefs/articles.cfm?RecordID=833)
Can I personalize Virtual Hope Box?
Yes. Users can add family photos, videos, recorded messages, music, inspirational quotes, reminders of past successes, and future goals, while coping cards can be created around specific problems. The current Android listing identifies the Defense Health Agency as the developer. [Google Play listing](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mil.dha.vhb)
Was Virtual Hope Box studied with veterans?
A VA research summary describes a randomized study with 58 veterans using Virtual Hope Box and 60 receiving printed control materials. Users reported stronger coping self-efficacy at 3 and 12 weeks, but the app should still be treated as a support tool rather than emergency treatment. [VA research summary](https://www.hsrd.va.gov/research/citations/PubBriefs/articles.cfm?RecordID=833)
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