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Designing for Life:
A mission to lower suicide rates in the military

Designing for Life:
A mission to lower suicide rates

in the military

Designing for Life:

A mission to lower suicide rates in the military

Role - UX/UI Designer

Project Manager - Keren Sa’ar Finks

Agency - Moxie

Client - IDF

PTSD After October 7th and the Cousin I Lost

Long before the collective trauma of October 7th brought IDF mental health into the spotlight, my family learned the devastating cost of invisible wounds. My cousin took his own life during his military service. He was only 20 years old.

I know the crushing weight of that loss, and the haunting wish that someone had recognized his distress in time. Today, following the harrowing events of October 7th, countless soldiers are carrying unimaginable trauma, leading to a soaring rise in PTSD and suicide risks. This project is built on a simple, urgent premise: no one should have to fight their darkest battles alone, and no family should be left asking "what if?"

Rise in Active-Duty Suicides

+112%

The annual average jumped from 12 cases before October 7th to 25 cases per year since the war began, affecting both active and reserve soldiers

More Suicide Attempts

7x

For every life lost, 7 more attempts are documented. The true toll is even higher, as veterans who take their lives after discharge are excluded from official military statistics

Shifting the burden: From commanders guessing, to data-driven early detection

Shifting the burden: From commanders guessing, to data-driven early detection

In collaboration with the IDF, I designed a process aimed at strengthening the bond between commanders and their subordinates while enabling the early detection of self-harm risks. Here is how it works:

Information is presented to the commander in a structured, scannable layout. The interface highlights key talking points and immediately flags potential risks ("Red Flags") to guide the conversation.

1

Digital Assessment

Digital Assessment

Soldiers complete specialized digital questionnaires designed to evaluate their mental well-being and identify early signs of distress.

2

Smart Protocols

The responses are analyzed and sent directly to commanders, automatically generating a structured, personalized interview protocol for each soldier.

3

Guided Conversations

Using these tailored protocols, commanders are guided through sensitive, lifesaving conversations based on the exact needs and responses of their subordinates.

What didn't work: Information Overload

What didn't work: Information Overload

In the initial version, commanders were presented with basic questionnaire results without any system insights. The lack of visual hierarchy and clear structure made the screen difficult to scan. Because critical "red flags" weren't highlighted, the system relied on the commander to connect the dots manually. The result? High cognitive load caused busy, overwhelmed commanders to merely skim the data or skip it entirely, increasing the risk of missing vital warning signs.

Information is presented to the commander in a structured, scannable layout. The interface highlights key talking points and immediately flags potential risks ("Red Flags") to guide the conversation.

Before

The Solution: Actionable Insights

We redesigned the interface to prioritize immediate comprehension. By establishing a clear visual hierarchy, the data became highly scannable. We introduced automated "System Insights" that actively alert commanders to red flags and provide specific, contextual guiding questions. This transformed the screen from a passive document into an active intervention tool—helping commanders confidently dig deeper, offer the right support, and identify potential suicide risks at an early stage.

We redesigned the interface to prioritize immediate comprehension. By establishing a clear visual hierarchy, the data became highly scannable. We introduced automated "System Insights" that actively alert commanders to red flags and provide specific, contextual guiding questions. This transformed the screen from a passive document into an active intervention tool—helping commanders confidently dig deeper, offer the right support, and identify potential suicide risks at an early stage.

Actionable prompts over raw data

Commanders don't just need to know what to ask. they need to understand why. Pairing data-driven risk factors with conversational prompts gives commanders the context they need to build empathy before the interview even begins.

System Insight: "40% of students who transfer between two or more high schools drop out."

Recommended Prompt:"Why did you transfer between schools?"

Facilitating meaningful Dialogue

In a strict military culture, asking a soldier about sensitive topics—like social isolation, financial debt, or family issues—can feel intrusive, especially for young commanders. To overcome this, the interface acts as an objective mediator. By providing exact, empathetic prompts directly on the screen, the system normalizes the conversation. It removes the personal awkwardness and gives the commander the 'legitimacy' to address red flags as part of an official, caring protocol.

Designing for rapid deployment in times of war

The Foundation:
A Living Design System

To support the platform’s complexity, I built a robust Design System from scratch. While it ensured a cohesive user experience, its true value was tested when war broke out. Having a unified 'single source of truth' allowed us to scale development at unprecedented speeds. Because the foundations were already laid, I was able to design and deploy critical, emergency wartime reporting tools within just a few hours - proving that a strong design system is an operational asset, not just a visual one

To support the platform’s complexity, I built a robust Design System from scratch. While it ensured a cohesive user experience, its true value was tested when war broke out. Having a unified 'single source of truth' allowed us to scale development at unprecedented speeds. Because the foundations were already laid, I was able to design and deploy critical, emergency wartime reporting tools within just a few hours - proving that a strong design system is an operational asset, not just a visual one

Wartime Emergency Response

When crises hit, operational control is paramount. During the intense initial days of the war, with civilian and military sectors under attack, the IDF needed immediate solutions. Leveraging our established design foundations, we seamlessly rolled out a critical reporting tool that enabled commanders to track troop locations in real-time -ensuring personnel accountability and safety when it mattered most

When crises hit, operational control is paramount. During the intense initial days of the war, with civilian and military sectors under attack, the IDF needed immediate solutions. Leveraging our established design foundations, we seamlessly rolled out a critical reporting tool that enabled commanders to track troop locations in real-time -ensuring personnel accountability and safety when it mattered most

IMPACT

IMPACT

While official statistics take time to gather, it was deeply moving to hear that the system is already active in the field. The platform has garnered enthusiastic feedback from both command staff and troops. I am eagerly waiting for the long-term data, but knowing this tool is already out there, helping commanders and soldiers bridge the gap, is the most meaningful validation I could ask for

While official statistics take time to gather, it was deeply moving to hear that the system is already active in the field. The platform has garnered enthusiastic feedback from both command staff and troops. I am eagerly waiting for the long-term data, but knowing this tool is already out there, helping commanders and soldiers bridge the gap, is the most meaningful validation I could ask for

I’ve interviewed extensively in many roles, but this tool allows you to access details in a way that makes you feel truly prepared. It allows you to address specific points and guide the soldier—points I’m not sure I would have reached without this platform. When soldiers walk in, they are surprised by how well you already know them.

I’ve interviewed extensively in many roles, but this tool allows you to access details in a way that makes you feel truly prepared. It allows you to address specific points and guide the soldier—points I’m not sure I would have reached without this platform. When soldiers walk in, they are surprised by how well you already know them.

IDF Commander

PTSD After October 7th and the Cousin I Lost

Long before the collective trauma of October 7th brought IDF mental health into the spotlight, my family learned the devastating cost of invisible wounds. My cousin took his own life during his military service. He was only 20 years old. I know the crushing weight of that loss, and the haunting wish that someone had recognized his distress in time. Today, following the harrowing events of October 7th, countless soldiers are carrying unimaginable trauma, leading to a soaring rise in PTSD and suicide risks. This project is built on a simple, urgent premise: no one should have to fight their darkest battles alone, and no family should be left asking "what if?"

Rise in Active-Duty Suicides

+112%

The annual average jumped from 12 cases before October 7th to 25 cases per year since the war began, affecting both active and reserve soldiers

More Suicide Attempts

7x

For every life lost, 7 more attempts are documented. The true toll is even higher, as veterans who take their lives after discharge are excluded from official military statistics

+972544644915

chengivaty@gmail.com

Chen Givaty

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