June 5, 2024
Today was simulation day! We kicked off the day with a brief Zoom meeting, where all of the Ohio COIL groups gave a short overview of their community project. Following a quick dash to Stauf’s for a much-needed caffeine boost, Simulation Day officially commenced!
Our clinical group cycled through two different simulations. Collaboratively, we conducted our assessments, pooling our insights to devise potential interventions and outline key education points. As someone yet to encounter in real life the scenarios we simulated, witnessing how my peers navigated the situation proved invaluable (and I must say, they handled it admirably!). When similar scenarios arise in real life, I hope to integrate what I’ve learned into practice.
My simulation group!
Lastly, we headed over to the homelessness VR simulation, “We Live Here”. This was by far my favorite simulation today, and the best VR simulation we have done so far. Coming in, I’m not sure what I expected from this simulation. Following the story of Rockey, a woman who experienced homelessness, was very impactful. As we explored her belongings, her remaining pieces of herselves, we discovered more about Rockey – her first encounter with a homeless individual, her first love, her aspirations, and what led to her homelessness. When the “sweep” occurred, she was unable to salvage these belongings left in her tent. The evictors called it something along the lines of “trash.” This evoked so many strong emotions – sadness, madness, helplessness. In my work in inpatient psych, I often come across homeless individuals, and part of our job is to search through their belongings. Sometimes it’s a long and unpleasant task. My peers often complain about the smell or the amount of stuff the patient has brought, sometimes in public areas. It’s crucial to remember that these items are all they have, and what may seem insignificant to us could hold immense value to them.
Deon in the VR setup!
“We Live Here” addresses Sustainable Development Goal 10.2, which states “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” Through immersive storytelling, it raises awareness about the challenges faced by marginalized individuals, fostering empathy and understanding among participants. Moreover, by evoking strong emotions, it serves as a catalyst for advocacy and policy change, encouraging individuals to take action towards addressing the root causes of homelessness. Overall, the simulation promotes a more inclusive society by challenging stereotypes, fostering empathy, and advocating for policies that promote the inclusion of all individuals, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic status.